Subzero Metal Processing Lubricant Prevents Galling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current lubricants for metal processing at subzero temperatures lack sufficient lubricity and environmental friendliness, leading to issues like cracking, galling, and increased friction, while existing quick-drying lubricants often contain harmful chlorine compounds or are not environmentally friendly.

Innovation Solution

A lubricant formulation using a paraffinic hydrocarbon base with a modifier oil containing sulfuric extreme pressure agents, rust inhibitive agents, and calcium ingredients, which provides improved lubricity, rust inhibition, and quick-drying properties without chlorine, suitable for high tensile strength steel processing at subzero temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional lubricants are used for metal processing at subzero temperatures, then lubricity is provided, but cracking and galling occur and friction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelubricityVSAvoidcracking and galling
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the lubricant by formulating it with specific ratios of paraffinic hydrocarbon (80-95 wt%), cyclic hydrocarbon (5-20 wt%), and aromatic hydrocarbon (5-20 wt%), along with specific additives. This parameter optimization enables the lubricant to maintain adequate lubricity at subzero temperatures while preventing cracking and galling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite lubricant system combining multiple hydrocarbon types (paraffinic, cyclic, aromatic) with various additives (extreme pressure agents, rust inhibitors, viscosity modifiers). This composite formulation synergistically provides both lubricity and protection against cracking and galling at subzero temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If quick-drying lubricants are used to eliminate washing steps, then processing efficiency improves, but lubricity becomes insufficient causing cracking and galling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidlubricity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the volatility parameters of the lubricant base by selecting specific hydrocarbon combinations with appropriate boiling point ranges. This enables the lubricant to evaporate sufficiently for quick-drying (eliminating washing steps) while retaining enough residual lubricity to prevent cracking and galling during processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If chlorine-containing lubricants are used to increase lubricity, then friction reduces, but harmful decomposition products are generated causing rust and corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelubricityVSAvoidrust and corrosion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces harmful chlorine-based extreme pressure agents with non-chlorine alternatives (such as sulfur-based or phosphorus-based compounds) that provide similar lubrication benefits without generating corrosive decomposition products. This substitution maintains lubricity while eliminating rust and corrosion issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If non-environmentally friendly lubricants are used to ensure sufficient lubricity, then processing performance improves, but environmental damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelubricityVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters to use environmentally benign hydrocarbons and additives while maintaining effective lubricity. The formulation specifies precise proportions of paraffinic, cyclic, and aromatic hydrocarbons along with eco-friendly additives that provide adequate lubrication without environmental harm.

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 lubricant effectively prevents cracking and galling, enhances processing accuracy, and is environmentally friendly by maintaining lubricity and viscosity at subzero temperatures, allowing for increased processing speeds and prolonged tool life without leaving residues that interfere with plating or coating.

Implementation Method 1

lubricants are generally omitted in order to reduce processing costs... if the metallic material is processed without using the lubricants... the metallic material cannot be suitably processed because of lack of lubricity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

The quick-drying lubricants may generally contain a volatile lubricant base that can be naturally evaporated at ordinary temperature and pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS8586514B2Lubricants for use in processing of metallic material and methods for processing the metallic material using the lubricants
Publication Date: 2013.11.19 TOYOTA BOSHOKU KK

AI summary

A lubricant for use in processing of a metallic material includes a lubricant base composed of at least one paraffinic hydrocarbon and a modifier oil added to the lubricant base at a rate of 2-20 wt % of total weight of the lubricant. The modifier oil contains (a) a sulfuric extreme pressure agent, (b) a rust inhibitive agent and (c) a calcium ingredient. Content of sulfur is 0.5-20 wt % of total weight of the modifier oil. Content of the rust inhibitive agent is 0.1-15 wt % of total weight of the modifier oil. Further, content of calcium is 0.1-15 wt % of total weight of the modifier oil.