Multifunctional Additive for Aqueous Lubricants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aqueous lubricants face limitations in reducing friction and wear, especially under high loads and sliding speeds, and lack effective eco-friendly solutions for industrial applications.

Innovation Solution

A process for preparing a multifunctional additive for aqueous lubricants using vinyl group containing polyhydric alcohol through copolymerization of glycerolmonomaleate with comonomers like acrylamide and vinyl acetate, under mild conditions, resulting in a water-soluble polymer with low friction coefficient and wear properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If aqueous lubricants are used instead of oil lubricants, then ecological and economic advantages are achieved along with coolant functionality, but the pressure coefficient of viscosity is low which decreases the ability to support high load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveecological harmVSAvoidload support ability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite polymeric additives combining multiple functional groups (carboxylic acid, hydroxyl, and polyether chains) in a single molecular structure. This composite approach allows the additive to simultaneously provide load support through chemical film formation and maintain water solubility, thereby enhancing the load-bearing capacity of aqueous lubricants without compromising their ecological benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the additive molecules by controlling the molecular weight, polyether chain length, and functional group composition. By optimizing these parameters, the additive achieves optimal balance between load support capability (through increased viscosity and film strength) and water solubility, enabling aqueous lubricants to handle higher loads effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If polymeric additives are added to aqueous lubricants to improve load support, then the ability to support high load is enhanced, but the friction reduction capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload support abilityVSAvoidfriction force
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs polymeric additives that perform multiple functions simultaneously: the carboxylic acid and hydroxyl groups provide extreme pressure protection through chemical film formation on metal surfaces, while the polyether chains reduce friction through boundary lubrication mechanisms. This multi-functional design ensures that both load support and friction reduction requirements are met by a single additive compound

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

3Reliability

If complex polymeric additives are used to enhance tribological performance, then friction and wear properties are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetribological performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent synthesizes complex polymeric additives through stepwise polymerization reactions that build the molecular structure in manageable stages. The polymerization process is divided into controlled steps allowing for precise control of molecular weight and functional group distribution, which simplifies the manufacturing process while ensuring consistent tribological performance across production batches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8969268B2Process for the preparation of multifunctional additive for aqueous lubricants
Publication Date: 2015.03.03 COUNCIL OF SCI & IND RES

AI summary

The present invention deals with a process for the preparation of multifunctional additive for aqueous lubricants. These I multifunctional additive for aqueous lubricant comprises of co-polymer having vinyl group containing polyhydric alcohol along with monomer selected from aqueous soluble acrylate co-monomer in different mole fraction for addition polymerization to facilitate the sequencing of monomer in polymer chain. Thus the polymeric molecule has been designed for improving tribological properties i.e. low wear, low friction and EP property of aqueous lubricants.