Enhanced durability performance of lubricants using functionalized metal phosphate nanoplatelets

• US 9,228,149 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2013
• Issued: 01/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Haque, Tabassumul, Tsou, Andy Haishung, Luo, Shuji, Webster, Martin N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Oladapo, Taiwo
• Application Number:
  US13/928,687
• Publication Number:
  US 20140011719A1
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 125/24 Compounds containing phosphorus, arsenic or antimony
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/085 Phosphorus oxides, acids or salts
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2203/1006 used as base material
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2203/1025 used as base material
• 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 2205/0285 used as base material
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2215/28 Amides; Imides
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2010/08 Groups 4 or 14
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/02 Viscosity; Viscosity index
• 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 2030/02 Pour-point; Viscosity index
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2030/06 Oiliness; Film-strength; Anti-wear; Resistance to extreme pressure
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/25 Internal-combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2050/015 Dispersions of solid lubricants

Abstract

A method for improving wear protection in an engine lubricated with a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil having a HTHS viscosity of less than 2.6 cP at 150° C. The formulated oil has a composition including a major amount of a lubricating oil base stock and a minor amount of metal phosphate nanoplatelets. The metal phosphate nanoplatelets are dispersed in the lubricating oil base stock sufficient for the formulated oil to pass wear protection requirements of one or more engine tests selected from TU3M, Sequence IIIG, Sequence IVA and OM646LA. Also provided are lubricating engine oil composition having improved wear protection.

Claims

1. A method for improving wear protection in an engine lubricated with a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil having a HTHS viscosity of less than 4.0 cP at 150°

C., said formulated oil having a composition comprising a major amount of a lubricating oil base stock and a minor amount of metal phosphate nanoplatelets;

wherein said metal phosphate nanoplatelets are dispersed in said lubricating oil base stock sufficient for the formulated oil to pass wear protection requirements of one or more engine tests selected from TU3M, Sequence IIIG, Sequence IVA and OM646LA, wherein the metal phosphate nanoplatelets comprise alpha zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanoplatelets.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the lubricating oil base stock comprises a Group I, Group II, Group III, Group IV or Group V base oil.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the alpha zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanoplatelets comprise platy particles having diameters less than 1500 nm.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the alpha zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanoplatelets are grafted with a hydrocarbon polymer to form hydrocarbon polymer nanoplates that are dispersed in said lubricating oil base stock.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the hydrocarbon polymer comprises a homopolymer, random copolymer or block copolymer that is amorphous and has a molecular weight below 25,000.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said formulated oil further comprises a long chain hydrocarbyl dispersant containing oleophilic portion and polyamino segment.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the dispersant comprises polyisobutylene succinimide polyamine (PIBSA-PAM).

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the oil base stock is present in an amount of from 70 weight percent to 95 weight percent, and the metal phosphate nanoplatelets are present in an amount of from 0.1 weight percent to 10 weight percent, based on the total weight of the formulated oil.

9. A method of improving wear protection in an engine lubricated with a lubricating oil, said method comprising using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil comprising a lubricating oil base stock as a major component and metal phosphate nanoplatelets as a minor component;

wherein said metal phosphate nanoplatelets are dispersed in said lubricating oil base stock; and

wherein wear protection is improved as compared to wear protection achieved using a lubricating oil containing a minor component other than said metal phosphate nanoplatelets, wherein the metal phosphate nanoplatelets comprise alpha zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanoplatelets.

10. A lubricating engine oil having a composition comprising a major amount of a lubricating oil base stock and a minor amount of metal phosphate nanoplatelets;

wherein said lubricating engine oil has a HTHS viscosity of less than 2.6 cP at 150°

C.; and

wherein said metal phosphate nanoplatelets are dispersed in said lubricating oil base stock sufficient for the lubricating engine oil to pass wear protection requirements of one or more engine tests selected from TU3M, Sequence IIIG, Sequence IVA and OM646LA, wherein the metal phosphate nanoplatelets comprise alpha zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanoplatelets.

11. The lubricating engine oil of claim 10 wherein the base oil comprises a Group I, Group II, Group III, Group IV or Group V base oil.

12. The lubricating engine oil of claim 10 wherein the alpha zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanoplatelets comprise platy particles having diameters less than 1500 nm.

13. The lubricating engine oil of claim 12 wherein the alpha zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanoplatelets are grafted with a hydrocarbon polymer to form hydrocarbon polymer nanoplates that are dispersed in said lubricating oil base stock.

14. The lubricating engine oil of claim 13 wherein the hydrocarbon polymer comprises a homopolymer, random copolymer or block copolymer that is amorphous and has a molecular weight below 25,000.

15. The lubricating engine oil of claim 10 further comprising a long chain hydrocarbyl dispersant containing oleophilic portion and polyamino segment.

16. The lubricating engine oil of claim 15 wherein the dispersant comprises polyisobutylene succinimide polyamine (PIBSA-PAM).

17. The lubricating engine oil of claim 10 wherein the oil base stock is present in an amount of from 70 weight percent to 95 weight percent, and the metal phosphate nanoplatelets are present in an amount of from 0.1 weight percent to 10 weight percent, based on the total weight of the formulated oil.

18. A lubricating engine oil having a composition comprising a lubricating oil base stock as a major component and metal phosphate nanoplatelets as a minor component;

wherein said metal phosphate nanoplatelets are dispersed in said lubricating oil base stock sufficient for the lubricating engine oil to exhibit improved wear protection as compared to wear protection achieved using a lubricating oil containing a minor component other than said metal phosphate nanoplatelets, wherein the metal phosphate nanoplatelets comprise alpha zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanoplatelets.