Polymer Thickener for Lubricating Greases with Adjustable Oil Bleeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lubricating greases face issues with oil bleeding characteristics being strongly dependent on temperature, leading to oil starvation in low-temperature applications, and poor mechanical stability resulting in grease leakage and reduced life span.
Innovation Solution
A process for producing polymer-thickened lubricating greases through in-situ polymerization of a composition comprising lubricating base oil, polymerization initiator, and polymerizable compounds with ethylene groups, forming a three-dimensional network that incorporates the oil, allowing for flexible and adjustable properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional soap-thickened greases are used, then the grease structure is formed, but the oil bleeding characteristics are strongly dependent on temperature leading to oil starvation in low-temperature applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the thickener from conventional soap-based thickeners to polymer thickeners with specific molecular structures (polyalphaolefin, polyisobutylene, polyester). This parameter change in thickener chemistry fundamentally alters the oil-thickener interaction mechanisms, enabling consistent oil bleeding performance across a wide temperature range including low-temperature applications where conventional greases fail.
2Stability of the object's composition
If polymer thickeners are added to lubricating base oil according to state of the art, then a thickened grease is formed, but homogenous suspension and/or gel formation from three-dimensional network fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-modifying the polymer thickener with specific surface treatments or pre-mixing procedures before final grease formulation. This preliminary preparation ensures that the polymer thickener is ready to form a homogeneous suspension and proper three-dimensional network structure when combined with the base oil, eliminating formulation failures and ensuring consistent gel structure formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance or process step that facilitates the interaction between polymer thickener and base oil. This intermediary enables proper dispersion and network formation, ensuring homogeneous suspension and stable gel structure without requiring complex manufacturing procedures.
3Reliability
If polymer-thickened grease compositions are produced with poor mechanical stability, then the grease structure collapses upon shearing, but this leads to undue grease leakage and reduction of grease life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material principles by combining polymer thickeners with specific base oils and additive packages to create a synergistic grease formulation. The polymer thickener forms a robust three-dimensional network that provides exceptional mechanical stability, preventing structure collapse under shear stress. This composite approach ensures both high mechanical stability and extended grease life, eliminating the trade-off between these parameters.
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 process enables efficient, one-step production of lubricating greases with improved mechanical stability and adjustable properties, such as hardness and oil separation, suitable for various applications including windmills.
Implementation Method 1
By polymerization of the polymerizable compound in step b), preferably by free radical polymerization, a polymer is obtained which acts as a thickener since it forms a three-dimensional network
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for the production of a lubricating grease comprising a "polymer" thickener derived from monomers comprising at least one ethylene group. The invention further relates to a lubricating grease comprising a lubricating base oil and a polymer thickener, derived from monomers comprising at least one ethylene group, preferably (meth)acrylates. The invention further relates to a use of such a polymer thickener in the preparation of lubricating grease compositions, preferably with highly flexible and easily adjustable properties and high yield point.