Solid Lubricant Island-and-Sea Structure Prevents Chipping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Solid lubricants with an 'island-and-sea' structure, particularly those containing graphite or lead, face issues with chipping and mechanical strength under high-load conditions, and there is a need for environmentally friendly alternatives that maintain friction and wear properties.

Innovation Solution

A solid lubricant composition incorporating a polyamide resin as a compatibilizing agent to enhance the compatibility and mechanical strength of the sea phase, comprising polyethylene resin, hydrocarbon-based wax, melamine cyanurate, and a modified polyethylene resin, which forms a stable 'island-and-sea' structure to prevent chipping and improve sliding performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a solid lubricant with an 'island-and-sea' structure containing polyethylene resin, hydrocarbon-based wax, and melamine cyanurate is used, then excellent film-forming capability and low coefficient of friction are achieved, but the solid lubricant expands and softens under frictional heat, causing plastic flow and loss of lubricant material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm-forming capabilityVSAvoidloss of solid lubricant
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the sea phase by introducing polyamide resin and modified polyethylene resin with specific functional groups. This modifies the thermal and mechanical properties of the continuous phase, raising its softening temperature and improving its dimensional stability under frictional heat, thereby preventing plastic flow and material loss while maintaining film-forming capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite sea phase by combining polyethylene resin, hydrocarbon-based wax, polyamide resin, and modified polyethylene resin. This composite structure synergistically improves the thermal stability and mechanical strength of the continuous phase, preventing expansion and softening under operating conditions while maintaining excellent lubrication properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If lead is used as a solid lubricant material, then all requirements for friction and wear properties are met, but environmental pollution problems arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefriction and wear propertiesVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention completely extracts and removes lead from the solid lubricant composition, replacing it with environmentally benign materials including polyethylene resin, hydrocarbon-based wax, melamine cyanurate, polyamide resin, and modified polyethylene resin. This elimination maintains excellent friction and wear properties while eliminating toxic environmental contamination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material composition parameters by substituting toxic lead with a composite of environmentally friendly polymers and waxes. This substitution maintains the necessary lubrication performance through careful selection and proportioning of the alternative materials, achieving both environmental compliance and functional reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If graphite is used as a solid lubricant, then good lubrication performance over a broad temperature range is achieved, but film forming capability is insufficient and film life is short under repeated frictional contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature rangeVSAvoidfilm life
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite solid lubricant system combining melamine cyanurate (insular phase) with a composite sea phase of polyethylene resin, hydrocarbon-based wax, polyamide resin, and modified polyethylene resin. This multi-component composite structure provides both broad temperature range lubrication and extended film life under repeated frictional contact through synergistic interactions among the components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates an island-and-sea structure where melamine cyanurate forms discrete insular phases dispersed in a continuous sea phase of polymers and waxes. This local differentiation allows the insular melamine cyanurate to provide temperature stability while the continuous sea phase matrix provides extended film life and mechanical integrity under repeated contact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enhanced mechanical strength and compatibility of the sea phase in the solid lubricant ensure stabilized sliding performance without chipping, even under high-load conditions, and provide excellent friction and wear resistance, matching or exceeding the performance of lead-containing lubricants while being environmentally friendly.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating a compatibilizing agent in both polyamide resin and sea phase to enhance their compatibility

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompatibilization: Emulsion

Implementation Method 2

coupling the polyamide resin to the sea phase to strengthen the sea phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoupling: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

a polyamide resin having self-lubricating properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP2060620B1Solid lubricant and slidable member
Publication Date: 2013.04.24 OILES CORP

AI summary

There are provided a solid lubricant having an island-and-sea structure, which, with the sea phase strengthened, remains free of troubles such as chipping even in use under high load conditions, and a sliding member having the solid lubricant embedded therein. The solid lubricant comprises 1 to 10% by volume of a polyethylene resin, 20 to 60% by volume of a hydrocarbon-based wax, 10 to 60% by volume of melamine cyanurate, 5 to 15% by volume of a polyamide resin, and 2 to 10% by volume of a modified polyethylene resin. The sliding member has the solid lubricant embedded in pores or grooves formed in a sliding surface of the sliding member body.