Ionic Tetrahedral Borate Friction Modifiers for Lubricant Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional friction modifiers in lubricant compositions face limitations due to solubility and compatibility issues, leading to instability and haziness in functional fluid compositions, which restricts their effective use and performance in applications like engine oils.

Innovation Solution

The use of ionic tetrahedral borate compounds, formed by reacting aliphatic di-hydroxyl compounds with trivalent boron compounds in the presence of a basic component, enhances solubility and provides friction modification, detergent, and antioxidant properties, allowing for higher treat rates without compromising stability and clarity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional friction modifiers are used at higher concentrations to improve performance, then friction modification performance is improved, but solubility and stability are compromised causing haziness and separation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction modification performanceVSAvoidsolubility and stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of friction modifiers to create ionic tetrahedral borate compounds with specific properties. These compounds have improved solubility parameters that allow them to remain dissolved at higher concentrations without causing haziness or separation, thus resolving the contradiction between performance concentration and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials by creating ionic tetrahedral borate compounds that combine friction modification capabilities with enhanced solubility characteristics. These composite molecular structures integrate multiple functional properties into a single compound that simultaneously provides friction modification and maintains solution stability at higher treat rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional friction modifiers are used at higher treat rates to achieve greater equipment protection, then equipment protection and lubricant life are improved, but the composition becomes unstable and drops out over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment protectionVSAvoidlubricant stability over time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The ionic tetrahedral borate compounds employ parameter changes in their molecular structure to achieve improved compatibility with lubricant base stocks. This structural modification allows the friction modifiers to maintain stability and remain in solution over extended periods at higher treat rates, enabling prolonged equipment protection without premature drop-out or separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional friction modifiers are used to improve friction performance, then friction modification is achieved, but the effective maximum treat rate is limited due to solubility constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction modificationVSAvoidmaximum treat rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by developing ionic tetrahedral borate compounds with modified solubility parameters. These structural changes enable the friction modifiers to achieve higher treat rates while maintaining complete solubility and stability, thus removing the conventional limit on the quantity that can be effectively used in the lubricant composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If higher amounts of friction modifiers are added to achieve greater performance, then friction performance and fuel economy are improved, but the lubricant becomes hazy or cloudy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction performanceVSAvoidclarity and transparency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The ionic tetrahedral borate compounds apply parameter changes through their molecular structure design, which provides improved solubility characteristics. This allows higher concentrations of friction modifier to be incorporated into the lubricant while maintaining optical clarity and transparency, eliminating the haziness that normally occurs at elevated treat rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ionic tetrahedral borate compounds improve the solubility and performance of friction modifiers, enabling their use at higher concentrations while maintaining the stability and clarity of lubricant compositions, thereby enhancing the performance and longevity of equipment and fuel efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an ionic tetrahedral borate compound comprising a cation and a tetrahedral borate anion which comprises a boron atom, the boron atom having at least one bidentate di-oxo ligand derived from an aliphatic di-hydroxyl compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoordination chemistry: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11459520B2Aliphatic tetrahedral borate compounds for lubricating compositions

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 THE LUBRIZOL CORP

AI summary

An additive for a lubricating composition includes an ionic tetrahedral borate compound which includes a cation and a tetrahedral borate anion having a boron atom, the boron atom has at least one aliphatic bidentate di-oxo ligand. The cation may be selected to provide detergent and/or dispersant and/or antioxidant properties to a lubricating composition.