Lubricating Compositions with Boronic Ester Crosslinks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubricating compositions face challenges in maintaining consistent viscosity across temperature variations due to the degradation of high molecular weight polymers under shear stress, leading to reduced lubrication properties in internal combustion engines.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a statistical copolymer with diol functions and a compound with boronic ester functions that associate and cross-link in a thermoreversible manner, maintaining stability under shear stress and adjusting viscosity in response to temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high molecular weight polymers are used to control viscosity, then viscosity control is improved, but permanent shear strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the polymer into two distinct functional components: a backbone polymer providing viscosity control and pendant diol groups providing shear resistance through boronic ester crosslinking. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one function rather than requiring a single polymer to excel at both.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure where the copolymer with diol functions forms a complex with boronic ester compounds, creating a hybrid material that combines the viscosity-enhancing properties of high molecular weight polymers with the shear-stress resistance of crosslinked networks.
2Quantity of substance
If high molecular weight polymers are used to improve viscosity, then viscosity control is improved, but the polymer degrades under shear stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-organizes the polymer structure with pendant diol groups positioned along the backbone, ready to form boronic ester crosslinks before shear stress is applied. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that the crosslinking network is already in place to resist degradation when shear stress occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The boronic ester crosslinks provide dynamic, reversible bonding that can adapt to shear stress conditions. The crosslinks can break and reform, allowing the polymer network to dissipate shear energy without permanent damage to the polymer chains.
3Stability of the object's composition
If viscosity additives are added to maintain constant viscosity, then viscosity stability is improved, but the composition becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The copolymer with diol functions serves multiple roles: it acts as the primary viscosity modifier through its high molecular weight backbone, provides shear resistance through boronic ester crosslinking, and offers temperature compensation through the thermoreversible nature of the crosslinks. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate additives.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention exploits changes in the physical state of the boronic ester crosslinks with temperature. At lower temperatures, the crosslinks are more formed, providing higher viscosity and shear resistance. At higher temperatures, the crosslinks become more dynamic and less formed, reducing viscosity. This natural parameter change with temperature provides automatic viscosity stabilization without additional additives.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition provides enhanced stability and viscosity control, preventing irreversible degradation under shear stress and maintaining effective lubrication properties across temperature fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one statistical copolymer A1 and at least one compound A2 comprising at least two boronic ester functions; the statistical copolymer A1 results from the copolymerization of at least one first monomer M1 bearing diol functions
Implementation Method 2
associate and cross-link in a thermoreversible manner, maintaining stability under shear stress and adjusting viscosity in response to temperature changes
Implementation Method 3
maintaining stability under shear stress and preventing irreversible degradation under shear stress
Data Source
AI summary
A composition results from the mixture of at least one lubricating oil, at least one statistical copolymer A1 , and at least one compound A2 including at least two boronic ester functions; the statistical copolymer A1 resulting from the copolymerisation of at least a first monomer M1 having diol functions and at least a second monomer M2 having a different chemical structure from that of the M1 monomer. The composition lubricates a mechanical part. The field is that of lubricants.