Ashless Friction Modifier for Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lubricant additives that reduce friction often contain phosphorus and sulfur, which can poison catalysts in engine after-treatment systems, and typically require both friction modifiers and anti-wear agents, leading to undesirable high levels of these additives.

Innovation Solution

An ashless friction modifier comprising a mixture of C12-C24 fatty acid and C12-C24 fatty amine, preferably C14-C22 unsaturated fatty acid and amine, such as oleic acid and oleyl amine, is used to reduce wear without the need for high levels of phosphorus- and sulfur-containing additives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If phosphorus- and sulfur-containing additives are used to reduce wear, then wear protection is improved, but catalyst poisoning occurs in engine after-treatment systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear protectionVSAvoidcatalyst poisoning
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes phosphorus- and sulfur-containing additives from the lubricant formulation, replacing them with an ashless friction modifier that provides both friction reduction and wear protection without containing harmful phosphorus or sulfur elements, thus preventing catalyst poisoning while maintaining wear protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ashless friction modifier comprising fatty acid and fatty amine serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a friction modifier and a wear protective agent, eliminating the need for separate phosphorus- or sulfur-containing anti-wear additives and thereby preventing catalyst poisoning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If both friction modifier and anti-wear agent are added to reduce friction and wear, then lubrication performance is improved, but phosphorus- and sulfur-containing additives are present at high levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication performanceVSAvoidphosphorus- and sulfur-containing additives
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of friction modification and wear protection into a single ashless additive package comprising fatty acid and fatty amine, combining what were traditionally separate additive functions into one integrated system that eliminates the need for high levels of phosphorus- and sulfur-containing additives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ashless friction modifier provides multi-functionality by simultaneously delivering friction reduction and wear protection, allowing the lubricant to achieve comprehensive lubrication performance without relying on high levels of phosphorus- or sulfur-containing additives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3197986B1Use of an ashless friction modifier
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ BV

AI summary

Use of a lubricating composition comprising (i) base oil and (ii) ashless friction modifier comprising C12-C24 fatty acid and C12-C24 fatty amine for providing reduced wear.