Background of the Invention
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to fire-resistant hydraulic fluids containing water
and hydroxyalkylated isocyanurate base stocks.
2. Description of the Prior Art
[0002] Water-based hydraulic fluids having fire-resistant properties are well known. See
R. E. Hatton, Introduction to Hydraulic Fluids, Chapter 13, "Water-Based Fluids",
pages 273-287, Reinhold Publishing Corporation (1962). Such water-based fluids have
been used satisfactorily in hydraulic systems containing vane, gear or axial-piston
pumps. The fire resistance of these water-based fluids has depended solely upon their
water content, and they were generally considered to be satisfactorily fire resistant
as.long as the water content was maintained. If the water is allowed to boil away
or to evaporate by prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures, the residual material
will burn when ignited.
[0003] Much of the work on the development of water-based fluids has centered around the
use of glycol base stocks such as ethylene glycol. See J. E. Brophy et al, "Aqueous
Nonflammable Hydraulic Fluids", Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Vol. 43, No.
4, pages 884-896 (April 1954). These water-based glycol fluids require a water-soluble
thickener to increase the viscosity to an acceptable level, as well as requiring additives
to impart corrosion-preventive properties and to enhance anti-wear and lubricity characteristics
to the final product.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need in the art to find a water-based hydraulic fluid which
will leave a residue that resists burning when subjected to ignition condition. Furthermore,
there is a need for a water-based hydraulic fluid which requires fewer or a lesser
amount of additives to simplify manufacturing procedures.
[0005] Separately, hydroxyalkylated isocyanurates have been known as functional fluids.
See U.S. Patent No. 3,859,284, which issued to Formaini et al on January 7, 1975.
However, their desirable characteristics of (1) being fire resistant in water-based
fluids even after the water is removed and (2) possessing good lubricating properties
while in combination with water were not known prior to the present invention. I
Brief Summary of the Invention
[0006] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to water containing hydraulic fluids
which comprise
(a) about 20% to about 60% by weight water;
(b) a sufficient amount of a hydroxyalkylated isocyanurate to form a hydraulic fluid
with a viscosity from about 100 Saybolt Universal Seconds (SUS) to about 400 Saybolt
Universal Seconds (SUS) at 100°F, said hydroxyalkylated isocyanurate. having the formula
(A):

wherein x, y and z are each from about 3 to about 15 and each R is individually selected
from hydrogen and methyl;
(c) about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of a liquid phase corrosion inhibitor; and
(d) about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of a vapor phase corrosion inhibitor.
[0007] The present invention is also directed to the process of using these fluids in hydraulic
operations.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
[0008] The hydroxyalkylated isocyanurate base stock of the present invention may be prepared
either (1) by the catalytic alkoxylation of cyanuric acid or (2) by the catalytic
alkoxylation of tris(2-hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate (THEIC). The former method is described
in U.S. Patent No. 3,265,694, which issued to Walles et al on August 9, 1966. The
latter synthesis is described in U.S. Patent No. 3,741,966, which issued to Weedon
et al on June 26, 1973, and in U.S. Patent No. 3,859,284, which issued to Formaini
et al on January 7, 1975. Furthermore, a two-step method for making these hydroxyalkylated
isocyanurates is described in U.S. Patent No. 3,870,716, which issued to Belsky et
al on March 11, 1975, wherein a first step of forming THEIC from cyanuric acid is
carried out in the presence of an alkaline catalyst followed by a second step of forming
the hydroxyalkylated adduct in the presence of an acid catalyst.
[0009] When THEIC is used as the precursor for the present hydroxyalkylated isocyanurates,
it is preferred to employ boron trifluoride etherate as an acidic catalyst and reaction
temperatures of about 130°C to about 140°C and reaction pressures from atmospheric
pressure to about 50 psig. Of course, the present invention is not to be limited to
any specific method for making the hydroxyalkylated isocyanurates and any conventional
method for making these compounds may be used.
[0010] The oxide precursors of these hydroxyalkylated isocyanurates are.commercially available
chemicals which may be obtained from many sources. Mixtures of different oxides [e.g.
ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO)] may also be employed as reactants, either
added sequentially or mixed together.
[0011] It should be understood that the number of moles of oxide reacted at each of the
three reactive sites of the isocyanurate molecule will not always be the same. For
example, if 12 moles of EO were reacted to 1 mole of THEIC, it does not necessarily
follow that 4 moles of EO were added at each site. Instead, it may be in some instances
that only 3 moles, or none, will react at one site and 5, or more, moles may react
at another site. Furthermore, it should be understood that the total number of alkylene
oxide moles on each resulting adduct molecule will be statistically distributed. Thus,
the values for x, y and z in Formula (A) each represent the average amount of alkylene
oxide units per reaction site and that the actual number may be less or greater than
that amount.
[0012] These hydroxyalkylated (i.e. hydroxyethylated and hydroxypropylated and mixtures
thereof) isocyanurates are viscous fluids. Unlike ethylene and propylene glycols,
they do not require additional thickeners to make water-based hydraulic fluids of
acceptable viscosities and lubricity. Generally, the viscosities of these hydroxyalkylated
isocyanurates are from about 500 centistokes (cSt) to about 800 centistokes (c
St) at 100°F, which when converted to SUS values by the appropriate tables in ANSI/ASTM
2161-79, equals from about 2300 SUS to about 3700 SUS. For the most common uses of
water-based hydraulic fluids, such as with vane-type pumps, the hydraulic fluid may
have viscosities in the range from about 100 SUS to about 400 SUS, preferably from
about 150 SUS to about 300 SUS. Accordingly, hydraulic fluids having viscosities anywhere
in the 100 SUS to 400 SUS range (at 100°F) may be prepared by varying the ratio of
isocyanurate base stock to water. Preferably, these viscosities are more easily achieved
when the amount of water in the fluid is from about 22% to about 50% by weight and
the preferred amount of hydroxylakylated isocyanurate is from about 80% to about 25%
by weight, depending upon the specific thickeners and additives present. Furthermore,
it is preferred that x, y and z in Formula (A), above, be from about 4 to about 10.
[0013] Another advantage of water-based isocyanurate fluids of the present invention over
the known water-based glycol fluids is that these hydroxyalkylated isocyanurates per
se have better lubricating properties than the glycols. Therefore, lesser amounts
of anti-wear and lubricity additives are needed to achieve the same lubricating properties.
[0014] Besides water and the hydroxyalkylated isocyanurate base stock, it is necessary to
add corrosion inhibitors to the hydraulic fluids of the present invention. At least
one liquid phase and at least one vapor phase corrosion inhibitor are needed to prevent
corrosion of metal hydraulic system parts. These corrosion inhibitors are necessary
because the water would otherwise corrode the metal in which the hydraulic fluid is
contained.
[0015] Any conventional liquid phase corrosion inhibitor may be employed. Mercaptobenzothiazole
or its alkali metal salts such as sodium mercaptobenzothiazole, tolutriazole, secondary
and tertiary amines and alkali metal borates, phosphates, nitrites, phosphites and
silicates, or other suitable liquid phase corrosion inhibitors may be employed. Preferably,
the amount of liquid phase corrosion inhibitors is from about 0.1% to about 1% by
weight of the total hydraulic fluid formulation. More preferably, the amount of liquid
phase corrosion inhibitors is from about 0.2% to about 0.5% by weight of the total
fluid formulation.
[0016] Any conventional vapor phase corrosion inhibitor may be used. Vapor phase corrosion
inhibitors such as morpholine, organic bases such as cyclohexylamine, dicyclohexylamine,
piperidine, and various thiazolines, pyrrolidines and hydrazines are required to protect
parts not completely immersed in the fluid, especially in the fluid reservoirs which
would be vulnerable to corrosion above the liquid level. Preferably, the amount of
vapor phase corrosion inhibitors is from about 0.5% to about 2% of the total formulation.
More preferably, this amount may be from about 0.7% to about 1,25% by weight of the
total fluid formulation.
[0017] The hydraulic fluids of the present invention may be suitable for industrial hydraulic
service throughout the temperature range from about -20°C to about 65°C at atmospheric
pressure (higher temperatures may be used under pressurized conditions) and are homogeneous
at all temperatures between about -45°C to about 80°C. They require no special packings
or seals or filters. These fluids, besides being fire resistant, are non-explosive,
will not attack rubber packings, are corrosion-inhibited, nontoxic, oxidation resistant,
and have low pour points, good lubricity and stability in service. Furthermore, they
are economical to make.
[0018] The hydraulic-type fluid systems in which the fluids of the present invention may
be used include any system wherein a mechanical effort is converted to pressure at
a first location, the pressure is transmitted from this first location to a second
location via a hydraulic fluid, and the pressure is converted to a second mechanical
effort at the second location. Thus, the hydraulic systems contemplated by the present
invention include hydraulic brake systems, hydraulic steering mechanisms, hydraulic
transmissions, hydraulic jacks and hydraulic lifts, especially those that require
a high degree of fire resistance. Included among these are the hydraulic systems used
in heavy equipment and transportation vehicles including highway and construction
equipment, railways, and aquatic vehicles.
[0019] Various additives., besides the above- mentioned corrosion inhibitors, may be added
to the fluids used in the systems of this invention to control or modify performance
properties. Included among the various types of additives which can be added to the
fluids are thickeners, buffers or pH control agents, antioxidants, viscosity index
improvers, pour point depressants, lubricating additives, defoamers, stabilizers,
rubber swelling adjusters, demulsifiers, dyes and odor suppressants. Generally, the
total amount of additives which may be incorporated into the fluid composition will
vary between 0% to about 30%, preferably from about 0.1% to 20% and more preferably
from about 0.2% to about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the fluid formulation.
[0020] Thickeners such as polyoxyalkylene glycol-type thickeners such as the water-initiated
co-polymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide may optionally be added to the fluids
of the present invention to effect an increase in the viscosity index of the fluid.
Generally, the amount of thickeners added may be from about 0% to about 20%, preferably
from about 0% to about 15%, by weight of the total fluid formulation. However, it
should be understood that the addition of thickeners reduces both fire-resistance
of the residual material and the lubricity of the fluid.
[0021] Buffers or pH control agents may optionally be employed in an amount sufficient to
maintain alkaline conditions in the fluid compositions, e.g. at an apparent pH value
of about 7 to about 11.5, if desired. Acidity might accelerate corrosion and render
some corrosion inhibitors ineffective. Desirable buffers include potassium laurate
and triethanolamine, ammonium phosphate, borates and the like. These buffers may generally
be added to the fluids in amounts from about 0% to about 5% by weight of fluid formulation,
preferably from about 0.1% to about 1% by weight of the mixture.
[0022] An antioxidant may optionally be used, if desired. Typical antioxidants include 2,2-di(4-hydroxyphenyl)
propane, phenothiazine, amines such as phenylalphanaphthylamine and hindered phenols
such as dibutyl cresol. Generally, the amount of antioxidant used will vary from 0%
to about 3% by weight, preferably from about 0.001% to about 2% by weight, based on
the total weight of the fluid formulation.
[0023] A defoamer such as a silicone type may be optionally used, if desired. Generally,
the amount of defoamer used will vary from 0% to about 0.1% by weight of the fluid
formulation; preferably, the amount will be from about 0.01% to about 0.1% by weight
of the formulation.
[0024] Additionally, other additives, if desired, may be incorporated into the fluid composition.
For example, rubber swelling adjusters such as dodecyl benzene may be used.
[0025] The above-noted inhibitors and additives are merely exemplary and are not intended
as an exclusive listing of the many well-known materials which can be added to fluid
compositions to obtain various desired properties. Other illustrations of additives
which may be used can be found in U.S. Patent No. 3,377,288, and in Introduction to
Hydraulic Fluids by Roger E. Hatton, Reinhold Publishing Corporation (1962).
[0026] The following examples depict various embodiments of the present invention; they
are intended to be illustrative and not limiting in nature. All parts and percentages
are by weight unless otherwise specified.
Example 1
[0027] To a one-liter steel autoclave, 195.9 grams (0.75 moles) of tris(2-hydroxyethyl)
isocyanurate (THEIC) and 2.0 grams of boron trifluoride etherate were added. The latter
compound was used as a catalyst in an amount equal to about 1.0% of the weight of
the THEIC. The autoclave was sealed and the reaction mixture was heated to about 140°C
to melt the THEIC. The reaction pressure was maintained at about 50 psig. Ethylene
oxide (EO) was then added to the autoclave over a period of about 3 hours until 436
grams (9.9 moles) EO was charged. The reaction mixture was then post-reacted for 1
hour at 138°-150°C. After this post-reaction time, the reactor was cooled to room
temperature, vented to remove any unreacted EO, and the contents were weighed (440.3
grams) and OH number determined (234) which corresponds to a calculated molecular
weight of 719. The approximate structural formula of the product, as calculated from
the uptake of
EO, was C
3N
3O
3[(CH
2CH
2O)
4.1H]
3 whose formula weight is 680.
[0028] A water-based hydraulic fluid having a 200 SUS viscosity at 100°F, comprising 73.0%
by weight of the above hydroxyalkylated isocyanurate and 27.0% distilled water, was
prepared and tested for various properties. See Table I for the results of these tests.
Example 2
[0029] The hydroxyalkylated isocyanurate product made in Example 1 was blended with water
and a polyalkylene glycol thickener prepared by base-catalyzed, water-initiated copolymerization
of a mixture of 75% EO and 25% PO by weight (36,000 cSt at 100°F) to form a hydraulic
fluid having a viscosity of 200 SUS at 100°F. This fluid comprised 39.0% of the isocyanurate
product, 50.0% water and 11.0% thickener. The fluid was also tested for various properties.
See Table I for the results.
[0030] 1Poly-G® polyalkylene glycol thickener concentrate manufactured by Olin Corporation
of Stamford, Connecticut.
Example 3
[0031] To a 250 ml glass flask equipped with a thermometer, addition funnel, and a cold
finger condenser, 52.2 grams (0.2 moles) of THEIC was added. The flask was heated
to melt the THEIC (at about 131°C) at atmospheric pressure. Then, 0.52 grams of boron
trifluoride etherate was added to the flask, followed by the dropwise addition of
116.3 grams (2.64 moles) of EO at about 133°C to about 140°C over a period of 6.5
hours. Then, the reaction mixture was heated at about 125°C for an additional 16 hours,
cooled to room temperature and the contents weighed (159.0 grams) and the OH number
was determined (208), which corresponded to a calculated molecular formula of 809.
The approximate structural formula of the product, as calculated by the uptake of
EO, was C3N303j (CH
2CH
2O)
5H]
3 whose formula weight is 790.
[0032] A water-based hydraulic fluid having about 200 SUS viscosity at 100°F comprising
73.0% by weight of the above hydroxyalkylated isocyanurate and 27.0% distilled water
was prepared and tested for various properties. See Table I for the results.
Example 4
[0033] To a 500 ml glass flask equipped with a thermometer, addition funnel and cold finger
condenser was charged 31.3 grams (0.12 moles) of THEIC. The flask was heated to melt
the THEIC at atmospheric pressure. Boron trifluoride etherate (0.1 gram) was then
added to the flask, 156.8 Grams (3.56 moles) of EO was added over a period of 16 hours
while maintaining the temperature at about 131°C to about 137°C at atmospheric pressure.
Boron trifluoride etherate catalyst was added during the EO addition as required to
sustain the reaction. The total amount of catalyst was 2.8% of the THEIC added (0.89
grams). After addition of EO was over, the reaction mixture was heated at about 125°C
for about 16 hours, cooled to room temperature and the contents weighed (173.5 grams)
and the OH number was determined (152) which corresponded to a molecular weight of
1107. The approximate structural formula of the product, as calculated by the uptake
of EO, was C
3N
3O
3[(CH
2CH
2O)
9.9H]
3 whose formula weight is 1439.
[0034] A water-based hydraulic fluid having a 200 SUS viscosity of 100°F comprising 75.0%
by weight of this isocyanurate product and 25.0% by weight of distilled water was
then prepared and tested. The results of those tests are in Table I.
Example 5
[0035] A hydroxyalkylated isocyanurate compound was prepared by the continuous addition
of 41.4 lbs. of EO to 15.4 lbs. of THEIC and 60 grams of BF
3 etherate in a 10-gallon reactor. The reactor was heated to 295°F to melt the THEIC
at which point agitation and EO addition were begun. Only half of the EO had been
added when the pressure reached its maximum of 65 psig. A second 60 gram catalyst
charge was added to the vapor space above the liquid reaction mixture and the run
continued until the EO was consumed. The resulting fluid had an OH number of 205.
The molecular weight was calculated from the OH number to be 821. The average composition
from calculated molecular weight was C
3N
3O
3[CH
2CH
2O)
5.2H]3.
[0036] A two quart batch of hydraulic fluid having a viscosity of approximately 200 SUS
was prepared by mixing 1579.8 grams of the isocyanurate base stock, 630.2 grams of
distilled water, 11.0 grams of morpholine and 0.4 grams of SAG-10 silicone defoaming
agent
2 in a beaker. The pH was raised to 9.5 by the addition of 14.6 grams of l-amino-2-propanol.
See Tables I and II for test results. The final composition of the fluid was:
/
[0037] 2Manufactured by Union Carbide Co. of New York, New York.
[0038]

Example 6
[0039] The hydroxyalkylated isocyanurate product for this example was prepared by a reaction
similar to that of Example 5 except that only 34.4 lbs. of EO was added and the 60
grams of catalyst was charged into the melted THEIC. No further catalyst addition
was necessary. The resulting fluid had an OH number of 199 and as in Example 5, the
molecular weight was calculated to be 845 which corresponded to an average composition
of: C
3N
3O
3[CH
2CH
2O)
5.4H]
3.
[0040] Two quarts of hydraulic fluid having a viscosity of approximately 200 SUS were prepared.
The same polyoxyalkylene glycol thickener (36,000 cs at 100
0F) as used in Example 2 was used to increase the viscosity index. The viscosity of
the thickener allows a lower isocyanurate fluid to water ratio to be used. Corrosion
inhibitors, buffers and defoamer were also added. Two hundred grams of thickener were
dissolved in 925.6 grams of water with stirring and heating followed by the addition
of 788.4 grams of the base stock. An additive package was prepared on adding 4 grams
of mercaptobenzothiazole, 18 grams of morpholine and 10 grams of triethanolamine to
50 grams of 20% aqueous potassium laurate buffer solution. This package was blended
with the fluid along with four grams of potassium nitrite dissolved in four grams
of water. Finally, 6 drops (0.4 grams) of SAG-10 defoamer were added. The composition
of the fluid was:
[0041]

[0042] This fluid was also tested. See Tables I and II.
Example 7
[0043] The hydroxyalkylated isocyanurate product for this formulation was prepared by a
reaction similar to that described in Example 6. The resulting product had an OH number
of 209. Its molecular weight was calculated to be 805 which corresponds to an average
composition of: C
3N
3O
3[(CH
2CH
2O)
5.1H]
3.
[0044] Two quarts of hydraulic fluid having a viscosity of approximately 275 SUS at 100°F
were prepared as in Example 6 and tested (see Tables I and II). The fluid had the
following composition:
[0045]

Example 8
[0046] The hydroxyalkylated isocyanurate product for this formulation was the same as in
Example 7. About four quarts of hydraulic fluid.having 200' SUS viscosity at 100°F
were prepared and tested (see Tables I and II). The fluid had the following composition:

Example 9
[0047] The hydroxyalkylated isocyanurate product for this formulation was the same as in
Example 7. About four quarts of hydraulic fluid having 150 SUS viscosity at 100°F
were prepared and tested (see Tables I and II). The fluid had the following composition:
[0048]

Example 10
[0049] The hydroxyalkylated isocyanurate product for this formulation was the same as in
Example 7. About four quarts of hydraulic fluid having 100 SUS viscosity at 100°F
were prepared and tested (see Tables I and II). The fluid had the following composition:

[0050] The utility of the fluids prepared in Examples 1-10 as fire-resistant hydraulic fluids
and specifically their advantage as replacements for the water glycol types was established
by the determination of the following properties of the isocyanurate based fluids
and comparison with the properties of Houghtosafe 620, a commercial water glycol hydraulic
fluid manufactured by E. F. Houghton. The results are summarized in Tables I and II.
A) Viscosity (measured by ANSI/ASTM D-2270-77) - The viscosities at 100°F indicate
the ability to formulate a hydroxyalkylated isocyanurate base stock to meet the viscosity
specifications of the most commonly used pumps. The kinematic viscosity in centistokes
was measured and converted to SUS values by the appropriate tables found in ANSI/ASTM
2161-79.
B) Viscosity Index (measured by ANSI/ASTM D-2270-79) - The viscosity of the fluids
will vary during use due to changes in the fluid temperature. The hydraulic system
may not operate properly if the fluid becomes too thin or too thick. The viscosity
index (VI) predicts the extent of these changes with a higher value indicating less
of a change. A VI of at least 100 would be considered suitable. Only the fluid of
Example 3 failed to meet these criteria. Also, the fluids employing thickener are
seen to have VI's superior to those fluids without it. The VI's were calculated by
utilizing the value for 100°F viscosity and an estimated value for 2109F viscosity obtained by extrapolation on the ASTM Standard Viscosity Temperature chart
utilizing the viscosity values at 100°F and either 130°F or 150°F.
C) Pour Point Imeasured by ANSI/ASTM D-97-66 (1971)] - The pour points of the fluids
are important if they are to be shipped, stored or utilized outdoors in cold weather.
Except for the fluid of Example 5 which included a thickener, all of the tested fluids
had pour point values which would render them suitable for use at temperatures below
0°F.
D) Four Ball Wear Test Imeasured by ANSI/ASTM D-2266-67 (1977)] - Lubricity testing
of the fluids is required since a hydraulic fluid must separate and lubricate the
surfaces of system components which are in close contact. Employing conditions of
1 hour, 130°F, 1200 rpm and 40 kg load for the test, the values for most of the isocyanurate
based fluids were equal to or better than that of Houghtosafe 620. The fluids with
higher values than Houghtosafe 620 still exhibited adequate lubricity performance.
E) Power Steering Pump Test - A test such as the Four Ball Wear Test is useful to
screen preliminary formulations. Such a test cannot, however, accurately predict pump
performance and thus the fluid must be run through a pump test under end-use conditions
to determine whether it has sufficient lubricity. The fluids were tested in a Saginaw
power steering pump having a fluid capacity of 1000 cc. The rotor, ring and vanes
of the pump are weighed prior to operation. The pump is then assembled and operated
for 4 hours at a fluid exit temperature of 150°F and a pump outlet pressure of 500
psig. An external cooling coil in a water bath maintains temperature control and a
relief valve maintains the system pressure. At the end of the 4-hour period, the pump
is disassembled, the parts weighed and the weight loss recorded. The pump is re-assembled
and operated under the same conditions for another 24 hours. The weight loss occurring
after the completion of the two cycles is reported as a measure of wear and should
be less than about 150 mg for acceptable fluids. Results are given in Table I.
F) Wick Flammability Test (measured by U.S. Bureau of Mines Schedule 30, July 1, 1978)
- The test simulates fluid soaked in absorbent, flammable material and exposed to
open flames. It is performed by soaking a pipe cleaner in the fluid and cycling it
into and out of a laboratory burner flame at 25 cycles/min. until a self-sustaining
flame is attained. The flammability of the fluids was compared by testing them as
is, and after varying amounts of evaporative water loss. Thus, three samples were
prepared, one was left in an open petri dish at room temperature, one was placed in
an oven at 150°F for 2 hours and one was placed in an oven at 150°F for 4 hours. The
Bureau of Mines standard is that the number of cycles before attaining a self-sustaining
flame should be 18 or more for the 2-hour sample and 12 or more for the 4-hour sample.
As is seen in Table II, the residues of the isocyanurate based fluids retain a significant
measure of their ignition resistance while the residue of the glycol-based fluid does
not.
[0051] In summary, the isocyanurate water-based fluids are comparable in physical properties
and lubricity characteristics to typical water glycol fire-resistant hydraulic fluids,
but offer a substantial reduction in the flammability of the residual material resulting
from loss of water content.
[0052] Fluids of the present invention such as these may be desirable for improving safety
in Naval Ship hydraulic systems, die casting machines, forging and extrusion presses,
injection molding machines, continuous casters, rolling mills, furnace controls, automatic
welders, hydraulic shears, continuous coal miners and mine shuttle cars, and many
other uses where the threat of fires exists.

A water-containing hydraulic fluid, which comprises
(a) about 20% to about 60% by weight water;
(b) a sufficient amount of a hydroxyalkylated isocyanurate to form a hydraulic fluid
with a viscosity from about 100 SUS to about 400 SUS at 100°F, said hydroxyalkylated
isocyanurate having the formula:

wherein x, y and z are each from about 3 to about 15 and each R is individually selected
from hydrogen and methyl;
(c) about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of a liquid phase corrosion inhibitor; and
(d) about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of a vapor phase corrosion inhibitor.
2. The hydraulic fluid of claim 1 which contains from about 22% to about 50% by weight
water.
3. The hydraulic fluid of claim lor 2 wherein each R is hydrogen.
4. The hydraulic fluid of claim 1 or 2 wherein each R is methyl.
5. The hydraulic fluid of any preceding claim wherein x, y and z are each from 4 to
about 10.
6. The hydraulic fluid of any preceding claim wherein said hydroxyalkylated isocyanuarate
is present in the amount from about 25% to about 80% by weight.
7. The hydraulic fluid of any preceding claim wherein said liquid phase corrosion
inhibitor comprises sodium mercaptobenzothiazole.
8. The hydraulic fluid of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said liquid phase corrosion
inhibitor comprises tolutriazole.
9. The hydraulic fluid of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said liquid phase corrosion
inhibitor comprises a combination of sodium mercaptobenzothiazole and tolutriazole.
10. The.hydraulic fluid of any preceding claim wherein said vapor phase corrosion
inhibitor is morpholine.
11. The hydraulic fluid of any preceding claim which additionally contains from 0%
to about 15% by weight of a thickener.
12. The hydraulic fluid of claim 11 wherein said thickener is a co-polymer of ethylene
oxide and propylene oxide.
13. The hydraulic fluid of any preceding claim which additionally contains from about
0.1% to about 1% by weight of at least one buffer.
14. The hydraulic fluid of claim 13 wherein said buffer is selected from potassium
laurate, triethanolamine, and mixtures thereof.
15. The hydraulic fluid pf any preceding claim which additionally contains from about
0.01% to about 0.1% by weight of a defoamer.
16. A method wherein a first mechanical effort is - converted to pressure at a first
location, the pressure is transmitted from said first location to a second location
via a hydraulic fluid, and said pressure is converted to a second mechanical effort
at said second location; characterised by employing the fluid of any preceding claim
as said hydraulic fluid.