Sea-Island Solid Lubricant for Copper Alloy Sliding Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solid lubricants for copper alloy sliding members, such as those containing melamine-isocyanuric acid adducts or polyethylene resin with melamine cyanurate, lack malleability and effective film-forming ability, leading to poor friction coefficients and abrasion resistance, especially under high loads and micro swinging movements.

Innovation Solution

A solid lubricant with a sea-island structure comprising a hydrocarbon-based wax and polyethylene resin sea phase, and a dispersion phase containing low-molecular-weight tetrafluoroethylene resin, higher fatty acid salt, phosphate of basic nitrogen-containing compounds, and zinc stannate, with high-molecular-weight tetrafluoroethylene resin fibers, enhancing malleability and film formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If graphite-based solid lubricants are used, then the lubricant maintains lubricating performance in a wide temperature range, but the film-forming ability is insufficient and film lifetime is inadequate against repeated friction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature rangeVSAvoidfilm lifetime
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite solid lubricant consisting of tetrafluoroethylene resin as the base material, lead particles dispersed throughout, polyolefin resin as binder, and wax components. This composite structure combines the temperature stability of tetrafluoroethylene resin with the film-forming ability of lead and polyolefin, resolving the contradiction between temperature range performance and film lifetime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of stationary object

If solid lubricants containing lead are used, then film-forming ability and film lifetime are superior, but environmental burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm lifetimeVSAvoidenvironmental burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by replacing lead with alternative materials such as copper particles or other metal powders, while adjusting the ratios of tetrafluoroethylene resin, polyolefin resin, and wax to maintain the desired film-forming ability and film lifetime without the environmental burden of lead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If solid lubricants without lead are used, then environmental burden is reduced, but malleability and film-forming ability become insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental burdenVSAvoidmalleability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite structure where tetrafluoroethylene resin provides the base matrix, copper particles or other metal powders replace lead for malleability and film formation, polyolefin resin acts as binder to hold the structure, and wax components enhance the lubricating properties. This composite approach achieves environmental friendliness while maintaining necessary malleability and film-forming ability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Ease of manufacture

If existing solid lubricant compositions are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but sliding properties such as friction coefficient and abrasion resistance are insufficient under high load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsliding properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the compositional parameters by controlling the particle size distribution of lead or copper particles, adjusting the molecular weight and content of polyolefin resin, and fine-tuning the wax content and type. These parameter changes enhance sliding properties under high load while maintaining ease of manufacture through conventional mixing and molding processes.

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 solid lubricant achieves superior malleability, low friction coefficients, and improved abrasion resistance, enabling effective sliding via lubrication film even for micro swinging movements, while maintaining strength and moldability.

Implementation Method 1

solid lubricant, which is used for embedding in a sliding surface of a sliding member substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmbedding:

Implementation Method 2

graphite shows high resistance in the load direction and shows low resistance in the sliding direction due to its layered structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLayered structure:

Implementation Method 3

gives a sliding effect by forming as solid lubricant film on the sliding surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP2848678B1Solid lubricant and sliding member having solid lubricant embedded therein
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 OILES CORP
  • EP2848678B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2848678B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2848678B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are: a solid lubricant having a low friction coefficient and excellent abrasion resistance; and a sliding member having this solid lubricant embedded therein. The solid lubricant (4) has a sea-island structure, comprising: a sea phase as a continuous phase, containing a hydrocarbon-based wax and a polyethylene resin; and an island phase as a dispersion phase, containing a low-molecular weight tetrafluoroethylene resin, a higher fatty acid salt, a phosphate of basic nitrogen-containing compound, and zinc stannate. A high-molecular weight tetrafluoroethylene resin is contained in this continuous-phase sea phase in a fibrous and mesh state. The hydrocarbon-based wax content is 30-60 vol%, the polyethylene resin content is 3-10 vol%, the low-molecular weight tetrafluoroethylene resin content is 10-30% vol%, the higher fatty acid salt content is 20-40% vol%, the basic nitrogen-containing compound phosphate content is 0.5-5 vol%, the zinc stannate content is 0.5-5 vol%, and the high-molecular weight tetrafluoroethylene resin content is 1-10 vol%.