Thermoassociative Additive Compositions for Viscosity Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High molar mass polymers used in lubricating compositions exhibit irreversible degradation under mechanical stress, leading to a decrease in viscosity and lubricating properties due to shear stresses, which is particularly problematic in internal combustion engines where friction and pressure are high.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a polydiol random copolymer A1, a compound A2 with two boronic ester functions, and an exogenous compound A5 that modulates the association of these components through reversible transesterification reactions, controlling the viscosity and rheological behavior of the lubricating composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high molar mass polymers are used to increase viscosity, then viscosity enhancement is improved, but irreversible degradation under mechanical stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single high molar mass polymer into multiple lower molar mass polymer chains that can reversibly associate through boronic ester-diol interactions. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high viscosity through temporary network formation while avoiding the irreversible degradation that plagues single long-chain polymers under mechanical stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic, reversible association network where polymer chains can form and break bonds through transesterification reactions. This dynamic behavior allows the polymer network to adapt to mechanical stress by breaking and reforming associations, preventing the permanent degradation that occurs with static high molar mass polymers.
2Quantity of substance
If high molar mass polymers are used to increase viscosity, then viscosity enhancement is improved, but shear strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the polymer structure into multiple chains with boronic ester functional groups that can form reversible crosslinks. This creates a distributed network that maintains shear strength through multiple weak bonds rather than relying on a single long chain, allowing the system to withstand mechanical stress while maintaining viscosity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system combining polymer chains with boronic ester groups and diol-containing compounds. This composite structure enables reversible crosslinking that enhances both viscosity and shear strength, as the crosslinked network provides structural integrity while the reversible nature allows energy dissipation under stress.
3Stability of the object's composition
If viscosity-enhancing additives are added to lubricating composition, then viscosity stability is improved, but irreversible degradation under mechanical stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic reversible crosslinking through boronic ester-diol associations that can form and break in response to mechanical stress. This dynamic behavior maintains viscosity stability through continuous network formation while preventing irreversible degradation, as the reversible bonds can reform after breaking unlike permanent crosslinks in conventional additives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes temperature-dependent parameter changes in the boronic ester-diol association equilibrium to control viscosity. The reversible transesterification reactions are sensitive to temperature and mechanical stress conditions, allowing the network structure to adapt and maintain viscosity stability across different operating conditions without suffering irreversible degradation.
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 composition maintains stable lubricating properties across temperature variations, ensuring effective lubrication during engine startup and operation by controlling viscosity and preventing irreversible degradation.
Implementation Method 1
a compound A2 comprising at least two boronic ester functions and capable of associating with said polydiol statistical copolymer A1 by a transesterification reaction
Implementation Method 2
These compounds can combine, possibly to form a gel, and exchange chemical bonds thermoreversibly
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention concerns additive compositions obtained by mixing at least two thermoassociative and exchangeable compounds and at least one boronic ester compound that enables the association of these two copolymers to be controlled; a lubricating composition obtained by mixing at least one lubricating base oil, at least two thermoassociative and exchangeable compounds, and at least one boronic ester compound that enables the association of these two copolymers to be controlled; a method for adjusting the viscosity of a lubricating composition obtained by mixing at least one lubricating base oil and at least two thermoassociative and exchangeable compounds; and the use of a boronic ester compound to adjust the viscosity of a lubricating composition.