CAPPED PARTICLES FOR USE IN LUBRICANTS

• US 20110166051A1
• Filed: 01/03/2011
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Productive Research Llc
• Original Assignee: Productive Research Llc
• Inventors: Finerman, Terry M., Mizrahi, Shimon
• Granted Patent: US 8,153,257 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 508/110
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 161/00 Lubricating compositions characterised by the additive being a mixture of a macromolecular compound and a non-macromolecular compound, each of these compounds being essential
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/05 Metals; Alloys
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/062 Oxides; Hydroxides; Carbonates or bicarbonates
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/081 containing halogen
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2205/00 Organic macromolecular hydrocarbon compounds or fractions, whether or not modified by oxidation as ingredients in lubricant compositions
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2209/00 Organic macromolecular compounds containing oxygen as ingredients in lubricant compositions
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/04 Molecular weight; Molecular weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/06 Particles of special shape or size
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/061 Coated particles
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2030/06 Oiliness; Film-strength; Anti-wear; Resistance to extreme pressure
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2050/015 Dispersions of solid lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2050/12 Micro capsules
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2998 including synthetic resin or polymer

Abstract

The present invention relates to capped particle additives for use in lubricant compositions, to processes for producing the additives, and to the use of the additives in lubricants and in systems that are lubricated. When used in a lubricant to lubricate a metallic surface of a workpiece, the capped particle preferably adhere to the metallic surface of the workpiece.

Claims

1. A capped particle comprising:

(i) one or more core particles wherein the core particle is an inorganic particle having a dimension less than about 5 μ

m, wherein the one or more core particles includes at least one inorganic particle that is free of phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, zinc, and nitrogen, or has a total concentration of phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, zinc, and nitrogen less than about 10 mole %, based on the total number of moles of atoms in the inorganic particle; and

(ii) one or more multi-block copolymers attached to the inorganic particles, wherein the multi-block copolymer comprises

a) at least one nonpolar polymer block;

b) at least one first polar polymer block; and

c) at least one second polar polymer block;

wherein the nonpolar polymer block is interposed between the first polar polymer block and the second polar polymer block,

the first polar polymer block is attached to the core particle, and

at least a portion of the second polar polymer block is not directly attached to the core particle;

so that when used in a lubricant to lubricate a metallic surface of a workpiece, the capped particle adheres to the metallic surface of the workpiece.

2. The capped particle of claim 1, wherein the first polar polymer block fully encapsulates the core particle.

3. The capped particle of claim 1, wherein the capped particle includes a surfactant.

4. The capped particle of claim 1, wherein the inorganic particles are free of phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, zinc, and nitrogen.

5. The capped particle of claim 1, wherein the inorganic particle comprises a particle selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, calcium fluoride, magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, talc, iron containing metal alloys, iron containing oxides, magnetic metals, cobalt containing metal oxides, cobalt containing oxides, copper containing oxides, tin containing oxides, tin containing alloys, magnesium containing oxides, aluminum containing oxides, aluminum containing alloys, titanium containing oxides, titanium containing alloys, metallic aluminum, metallic titanium, metallic tin, metallic iron, metallic magnesium, metallic cobalt, and any combination thereof.

6. The capped particle of any of claim 1, wherein

the first polar polymer block contain one or more polar group or functional group selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl, a carbonyl, a hydroxyl, an amino, a nitrogen containing heterocyclic compound, a sulfonyl, a sulfide, a sulfonate, a phosphate, and a phosphine;

and

the second polar polymer block contain one or more polar group or functional group selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl, a carbonyl, a hydroxyl, an amino, a nitrogen containing heterocyclic compound, a sulfonyl, a sulfide, a sulfonate, a phosphate, and a phosphine.

7. The capped particle of claim 1, wherein

the inorganic particle has an average particle size from about 1 nm to about 100 μ

m;

the nonpolar polymer block contains one or more free radically polymerizable monomers, an alkyl siloxanes, or any combination thereof;

the nonpolar polymer block is soluble in oil;

the nonpolar polymer block has a crystallinity of less than about 10%;

the nonpolar polymer block has a weight average molecular weight of at least about 1000;

the ratio of the average molecular weight of the nonpolar polymer block to the average molecular weight of the first polar polymer block is at least about 3; and

the average molecular weight of the nonpolar polymer block to the average molecular weight of the second polar polymer block is at least about 3.

8. A lubricant comprising

the capped particle of claim 1;

and

a lubricant fluid,

wherein the concentration of the capped particle is less than about 50% by weight based on the total weight of the lubricant; and

the lubricant fluid is at least a theta solvent at 20°

C. for the nonpolar polymer block.

9. The lubricant of claim 8, wherein the lubricant fluid includes a hydrophobic base oil, wherein the base oil has a viscosity from about 20 SUS (Saybolt Universal Seconds, measured at about 38°

C.) to about 1000 SUS; and

the lubricant includes one or more additives selected from the group consisting of dispersants, anti-foam agents, pour point depressing agents, viscosity index improving agents, rust-inhibiting agents, corrosion inhibiting agents, extreme pressure agents, and oxidation inhibiting agents.

10. A process for preparing the capped particle of claim 1, comprising a step of:

attaching the first polar polymer block to, or polymerizing the first polar polymer block onto the inorganic particle.

11. A capped particle comprising:

(i) one or more core particles wherein the core particle is an inorganic particle having a dimension less than about 5 μ

m;

(ii) one or more multi-block copolymers attached to the inorganic particles,

wherein the multi-block copolymer comprises

a) one or more nonpolar polymer block;

b) one or more first polar polymer block; and

c) one or more second polar polymer block;

wherein the nonpolar polymer block is interposed between the first polar polymer block and the second polar polymer block, and

(iii) one or more surfactants;

wherein the first polar polymer block is attached to the core particle, and

the surfactant forms a layer around at least a portion of the second polar polymer block.

12. The capped particle of claim 11, wherein the first polar polymer block fully encapsulates the core particle.

13. A capped particle of claim 12, wherein at least some of the second polar polymer block is not directly attached to the inorganic particle.

14. The capped particle of claim 12, wherein the inorganic particle comprises a mixture of particles including a particle selected from the group consisting of an antioxidant, a viscosity modifier, a corrosion inhibitor, and any combination thereof.

15. The capped particle of claim 11, wherein the inorganic particle comprises a particle selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, calcium fluoride, magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, talc, iron containing metal alloys, iron containing oxides, magnetic metals, cobalt containing metal oxides, cobalt containing oxides, copper containing oxides, tin containing oxides, tin containing alloys, magnesium containing oxides, aluminum containing oxides, aluminum containing alloys, titanium containing oxides, titanium containing alloys, metallic aluminum, metallic titanium, metallic tin, metallic iron, metallic magnesium, metallic cobalt, and any combination thereof.

16. The capped particle of claim 11, wherein the capped particle further comprises a second core particle wherein the second core particle includes a lubricating particle, a borate or any combination thereof, and the second core particle is capped with a primer or other molecule to provide a polar surface for adhering to the multi-block copolymer.

17. The capped particle of claim 11, wherein

the first polar polymer block contain one or more polar group or functional group selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl, a carbonyl, a hydroxyl, an amino, a nitrogen containing heterocyclic compound, a sulfonyl, a sulfide, a sulfonate, a phosphate, and a phosphine;

and

the second polar polymer block contain one or more polar group or functional group selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl, a carbonyl, a hydroxyl, an amino, a nitrogen containing heterocyclic compound, a sulfonyl, a sulfide, a sulfonate, a phosphate, and a phosphine.

18. The capped particle of any of claim 11, wherein

the inorganic particle has an average particle size from about 1 nm to about 100 μ

m;

the nonpolar polymer block contains one or more free radically polymerizable monomers, an alkyl siloxanes, or any combination thereof;

the nonpolar polymer block is soluble in oil;

the nonpolar polymer block has a crystallinity of less than about 10%;

the nonpolar polymer block has a weight average molecular weight of at least about 1000;

the ratio of the average molecular weight of the nonpolar polymer block to the average molecular weight of the first polar polymer block is at least about 3; and

the average molecular weight of the nonpolar polymer block to the average molecular weight of the second polar polymer block is at least about 3.

19. A lubricant comprising the capped particle of claim 12, and a lubricant fluid, wherein the concentration of the capped particle is less than about 50% by weight based on the total weight of the lubricant;

and the lubricant fluid is at least a theta solvent at 20°

C. for the nonpolar polymer block.

20. The lubricant of claim 19, wherein the lubricant fluid includes a hydrophobic base oil, wherein the base oil has a viscosity from about 20 SUS (Saybolt Universal Seconds, measured at about 38°

C.) to about 1000 SUS; and

the lubricant further comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of dispersants, anti-foam agents, pour point depressing agents, viscosity index improving agents, rust-inhibiting agents, corrosion inhibiting agents, extreme pressure agents, and oxidation inhibiting agents.