Nanoparticulate based lubricants

• US 20080234149A1
• Filed: 01/11/2008
• Published: 09/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Malshe, Ajay P., Adhvaryu, Atanu, Verma, Arpana, McCluskey, Philip Hugh
• Application Number:
  US12/007,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20080234149A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 508/150
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 141/10 at least one of them being an organic phosphorus-containing compound
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 171/06 Particles of special shape or size
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/06 Metal compounds of chromium C10M2201/086
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/065 Sulfides; Selenides; Tellurides
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/066 Molybdenum sulfide
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2219/068 Thiocarbamate metal salts
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2223/02 having no phosphorus-to-carbon bonds
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2223/045 Metal containing thio derivatives
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2010/02 Groups 1 or 11
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2010/04 Groups 2 or 12
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2010/08 Groups 4 or 14
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2010/12 Groups 6 or 16
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/06 Particles of special shape or size
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2030/06 Oiliness; Film-strength; Anti-wear; Resistance to extreme pressure
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/04 Oil-bath; Gear-boxes; Automatic transmissions; Traction drives

Abstract

A method of making a nanoparticulate based lubricant is disclosed. The method includes providing solid lubricant material with particles having a size less than or equal to about 500 nanometers, and treating the particles to create composite nanoparticles. The composite nanoparticles includes the solid lubricant material and at least a second material.

Claims

1. A method of making a nanoparticulate based lubricant comprising;

providing solid lubricant material with particles having a size less than or equal to about 500 nanometers; and

treating the particles to create composite nanoparticles, wherein the composite nanoparticles includes the solid lubricant material and at least a second material.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing includes reducing the size of the particles to less than or equal to 500 nanometers.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing includes reducing the size of the particles to a range between about 50-200 nanometers.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the composite nanoparticles include a central core and an outer shell wherein, the central core is substantially made of one or more materials and the outer shell is substantially made of the second material.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second material includes one of a chemical and a reaction product of the chemical.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the chemical is selected from a group consisting of zinc dialkyl dithio phosphate (ZDDP), sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium diphosphate, 2-ethylhexyl molybdenum dithiophosphate, and combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the outer shell substantially encapsulates the central core.

8. The method of claim 4, further including a third material disposed within cavities in the central core.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the third material includes one of a chemical and a reaction product of the chemical.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of treating includes chemically reacting the particles with a chemical.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid lubricant material is selected from a group consisting of molybdenum disulphide, tungsten disulphide, niobium diselinide, gold, silver, lead, tin, enhanced pressure chemicals, and combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 1, further including mixing the composite nanoparticles with a base oil, wherein the base oil is selected from a group consisting of an organic oil, a hydrocarbon based oil, a synthetic liquid, or combinations thereof.

13. The method of claim 12, further including mixing the composite nanoparticles with one or more lubricant additives.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing includes reducing the size of the solid lubricant material to a powder having a first predetermined size greater than about 500 nanometers.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of providing further includes reducing the powder from the first predetermined size to particles having the size less than or equal to approximately 500 nanometers.

16. A nanoparticle for lubricant applications comprising;

a core made substantially of a first material and having a size less than or equal to about 500 nanometers wherein, the first material includes one or more solid lubricant materials; and

a shell on an external surface of the core, wherein the shell is substantially made of a second material.

17. The nanoparticle of claim 16, wherein the shell substantially surrounds the core.

18. The nanoparticle of claim 16, wherein the second material is one of a chemical agent and a reaction product of the chemical agent.

19. A lubricant comprising;

a base oil;

composite nanoparticles that include a core made of one or more materials and a shell made of another material, wherein the shell substantially surrounds the core; and

lubricant additives.

20. The lubricant of claim 19, wherein a size of the composite nanoparticles is less than or equal to about 500 nanometers.