1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a novel lubricating oil composition, in particular,
a lubricating oil composition having improved friction reducing properties and wear
resistance and suitable for use as a lubricating oil for internal combustion engines,
automatic transmissions, suspension and power steering wheels, particularly as a lubricating
oil for internal combustion engines.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] Lubricating oils are usually used for smoothing the operation of internal combustion
engines, driving mechanisms such as automatic transmissions, suspensions and power
stearings, and gears. Particularly, engine oils are effective in lubricating mainly
sliding parts such as a piston ring and a cylinder liner, bearings of a crank shaft
or a connecting rod, and valve trains including cams and valve lifters; in cooling
the engine; in cleaning and dispersing combustion products; and in preventing rust
formation and corrosion.
[0003] Thus, various functions are required of the engine oils and, recently, even better
functions are being demanded as the required performance and engine output become
higher and higher and the operation conditions more severe. Under these circumstances,
additives such as a corrosion inhibitor, metallic detergent, ashless dispersant and
antioxidant are incorporated into the engine oil in order to satisfy such requirements.
[0004] It is an important basic function of an engine oil to drive the engine smoothly and
to prevent wear and seizure under any given condition. In the lubricated parts of
an engine, a fluid lubrication state is mostly realized. However, in the valve train
and the top and the bottom dead centers of a piston, a boundary lubrication state
is apt to occur. In such a boundary lubrication, wear is usually prevented by addition
of zinc dithiophosphate (ZnDTP) or zinc dithiocarbamate (ZnDTC).
[0005] Since the energy loss in the friction parts in which the lubricating oil participates
is high in the engine, a friction modifier (FM) is added to the lubricating oil in
order to minimize the friction loss and improve the fuel consumption. As the friction
modifiers, extreme-pressure additives such as molybdenum compounds and phosphoric
esters and oiliness improvers such as fatty acid esters and alkylamines are usually
used.
[0006] However, when a combination of the antiwear agent with the friction modifier is used,
the functions of both of them are not fully exhibited because of their competitive
adsorption onto the metal surface. More specifically, ZnDTP and ZnDTC protect the
metal surface from wear due to metal/metal contact by forming a protective film thereon,
while the friction modifier also forms a low-friction film by the adsorption onto
the metal surface, by the reaction therewith or by the formation of a polymer on the
metal surface to reduce the friction. Therefore, when both ZnDTP or ZnDTC and the
friction modifier are added to the lubricating oil, the adsorption of ZnDTP and ZnDTC
is reduced in amount by the competitive adsorption onto the metal surface to reduce
the wear resistance or no sufficient friction-reducing effect can be obtained even
by the addition of the friction modifier.
[0007] On the other hand, an interaction between ZnDTP or ZnDTC and some detergent-dispersant
is apt to occur to reduce the wear resistance. Further, other additives such as the
detergent-dispersant might exert an influence on the effect of the friction modifier.
Thus, the selection of other additives such as the detergent-dispersant and the concentration
thereof must be taken into consideration.
[0008] The present invention has been completed after investigations made for the purpose
of providing a lubricating oil composition having improved friction reduction and
antiwear properties and suitable for use as a lubricating oil for internal combustion
engines, automatic transmissions, suspension and power steering wheels, particularly
as a lubricating oil for internal combustion engines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] After intensive investigations made for the purpose of developing a lubricating oil
composition having the above-described excellent properties, the inventors have found
that the above purpose can be attained with a lubricating oil composition comprising
zinc dialkyl dithiophosphates, mainly one having secondary alkyl groups, a calcium
sulfonate and a calcium salicylate as a metallic detergent and sulfurized oxymolybdenum
dithiocarbamate in specified proportions. The present invention has been completed
on the basis of this finding.
[0010] Specifically, the present invention provides a lubricating oil composition comprising
a base oil containing (A) from 0.04 to 0.12% by weight (in terms of phosphorus), based
on the whole composition, of a zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate containing 50 to 100%
by weight (in terms of phosphorus), based on the total phosphorus content, of a zinc
dialkyl dithiophosphate having secondary alkyl groups and 50 to 0% by weight (in terms
of phosphorus), based on the total phosphorus content, of a zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate
having primary alkyl groups, (B) 1.0 to 3.0% by weight of a calcium sulfonate and
0.3 to 2.5% by weight of a calcium salicylate, and (C) 50 to 2,000 ppm (in terms of
molybdenum) of a sulfurized oxymolybdenum dithiocarbamate containing at least one
hydrocarbon group having 8 to 23 carbon atoms, wherein the oil composition is characterized
by having a total base number of 2 to 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The base oil usable as the major component in the lubricating oil composition of
the present invention is not particularly limited. Base oils are those usually used
in ordinary lubricating oils, such as mineral oils and synthetic oils.
[0012] The mineral oils include, for example, 60 neutral oil, 100 neutral oil, 150 neutral
oil, 300 neutral oil and 500 neutral oil obtained by solvent refining or hydrotreating;
and low pour point base oils prepared by removing a wax from these base oils so as
to improve the low-temperature fluidity. They may be used either singly or in the
form of a mixture of two or more of them in a proper ratio.
[0013] The synthetic oils include, for example, poly-α-olefin oligomers, diesters, polyol
esters and polyglycol esters. They are usable either singly or in the form of a mixture.
They are also usable in the form of a mixture with the above-described mineral oil.
The mixing weight ratio of the synthetic oil to the mineral oil is, for example, 80:20
to 20:80.
[0014] A suitable base oil usable in the composition of the present invention is one having
a viscosity in the range of 3 to 20 cSt at 100°C. Particularly preferred are hydrocracked
products and/or wax isomerized product containing 3.0% by weight or below of an aromatic
component and having a sulfur content of 50 ppm or below and a nitrogen content of
50 ppm or below.
[0015] In the composition of the present invention, the component (A) is zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate
(ZnDTP). ZnDTP comprises ZnDTP having secondary alkyl groups and ZnDTP having primary
alkyl groups in such a proportion that the content of the phosphorus therein is 50
to 100% by weight and 50 to 0% by weight, respectively, based on the total phosphorus
content. By using such a ZnDTP, the object of the present invention can be effectively
attained.
[0016] The ZnDTP having secondary alkyl groups include those of the following general formula:

The groups R
1 and R
2 in the general formula [1] each represent a secondary alkyl group having 3 to 25
carbon atoms, such as propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, octyl, decyl, dodecyl,
pentadecyl or octadecyl group. They may be the same or different.
[0017] On the other hand, the ZnDTP having primary alkyl groups include, for example, those
of the following general formula:

The groups R
3 and R
4 in the general formula [2] each represent a primary alkyl group having 8 to 25 carbon
atoms, such as octyl, decyl, lauryl, myristyl, palmityl, stearyl or eicosyl group.
They may be the same or different.
[0018] In the composition of the present invention, the amount of ZnDTP used as the component
(A) must be 0.04 to 0.12% by weight (in terms of phosphorus) based on the whole composition.
When the amount of phosphorus is below 0.05% by weight, the wear resistance is insufficient
and, when it is above 0.12% by weight, there is no further significant improvement
in wear resistance.
[0019] The composition of the present invention contains a calcium sulfonate and a calcium
salicylate as the metallic detergent (B). The amount of the calcium sulfonate must
be 1.0 to 3.0% by weight based on the whole composition. When the amount of calcium
sulfonate is below 1.0% by weight, the detergency is insufficient and when it is above
3.0% by weight, the detergency effect is not further increased and the ash content
is increased unfavorably. On the other hand, the calcium salicylate must be contained
in an amount of 0.3 to 2.5% by weight based on the whole composition. When it is below
0.3% by weight, no sufficient friction reducing properties can be obtained and, when
it exceeds 2.5% by weight, the wear resistance is reduced and the ash content is increased
unfavorably.
[0020] The calcium salicylates are, for example, those of the following general formula:

In the general formula (3], R
5 represents a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group having 8 to 23 carbon atoms,
such as octyl, nonyl, decyl, dodecyl, pentadecyl, octadecyl or eicosyl group.
[0021] A sulfurized oxymolybdenum dithiocarbamate (MoDTC) having a hydrocarbon group having
8 to 23 carbon atoms is contained as the component (C) in the composition of the present
invention. MoDTC has a structure of the following general formula:

[0022] The groups R
6 and R
7 in the above general formula [4] each represent a hydrocarbon group having 8 to 23
carbon atoms. The hydrocarbon groups having 8 to 23 carbon atoms include linear and
branched alkyl and alkenyl groups having 8 to 23 carbon atoms, and cycloalkyl, aryl
alkylaryl and arylalkyl groups having 8 to 23 carbon atoms. Examples of them include
2-ethyl-hexyl, n-octyl, nonyl, decyl, lauryl, tridecyl, palmityl, stearyl, oleyl,
eicosyl, butylphenyl and nonylphenyl groups. R
6 and R
7 may be the same or different, and m and n are positive integers such that the sum
of them is 4.
[0023] In the composition of the present invention, MoDTC used as the component (C) may
be used either singly or in combination of two or more of them. The amount of MoDTC
is in the range of 50 to 2,000 ppm (in terms of molybdenum), preferably 100 to 1,000
ppm, based on the whole composition. When the amount of molybdenum is below 50 ppm,
no sufficient low-frictional properties can be obtained and when it is above 2,000
ppm, the frictional properties are not further significantly improved.
[0024] The total base number of the composition of the present invention must be 2 to 13,
preferably 4 to 9. The base number is determined according to JIS K 2501 (the unit
of the total base number being mgKOH/g).
[0025] The total base number of the composition of the present invention can be suitably
controlled with a calcium sulfonate having a total base number (TBN) of 200 to 300
or a calcium sulfonate having a total base number (TBN) of 10 to 100.
[0026] The lubricating oil composition of the present invention may contain suitable additives
usually incorporated into lubricating oils, such as an ashless detergent-dispersant,
viscosity index improver, pour point depressant, antioxidant, rust inhibitor, corrosion
inhibitor, antifoaming agent and other antiwear agent and friction modifier, so far
as the object of the present invention is not disturbed thereby.
[0027] The ashless detergent-dispersant include, for example, succinimides, succinamides,
benzylamines and their boron derivatives and esters. They are used in an amount of
usually 0.5 to 7% by weight, based on the whole composition.
[0028] The viscosity index improvers include, for example, polymethacrylates, polyisobutylenes,
ethylene/propylene copolymers and hydrogenated styrene/butadiene copolymers. They
are used in an amount of usually 0.5 to 35% by weight, based on the whole composition.
The antioxidants include, for example, amine antioxidants such as alkylated diphenylamines,
phenyl-a-naphthylamines and alkylated α-naphthylamines, and phenolic antioxidants
such as 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol and 4,4'-methylenebis(2,6-di-t-butylphenol).
They are used in an amount of usually 0.05 to 2% by weight, based on the whole composition.
[0029] The rust inhibitors include, for example, alkenylsuccinic acids and partial esters
thereof. The corrosion inhibitors include, for example, benzotriazole and benzimidazole.
The antifoaming agents include, for example, dimethylpolysiloxanes and polyacrylates.
They can be suitably incorporated into the composition.
[0030] The following Examples will further illustrate the present invention and do not limit
the invention.
Examples 1 to 8 and Comparative Examples 1 to 10
[0031] The coefficient of friction and wear track diameter of the lubricating oil composition
were determined as follows:
(1) Coefficient of friction (µ):
The efficient of friction was determined by the LFW-1 test under the conditions of
270 rpm, 30 kgf, 120°C and 10 minutes.
(2) Wear track diameter (mm):
The wear track diameter was determined by the Shell four-ball friction test under
the conditions of 1,800 rpm, 20 kgf, 90°C and 30 minutes.
Base oil 150N-1 (having viscosity at 100°C of 5.7 mm2/s, aromatic component content of 4.1 wt%, sulfur content of 11.0 ppm and nitrogen
content of 89.0 ppm) or 150N-2 (having viscosity at 100°C of 5.5 mm2/s, aromatic component content of 0.5 wt%, sulfur content of 0.5 ppm and nitrogen
content of 0.1 ppm) was used.
Each of the lubricating oil compositions listed in Table 1 was prepared from the base
oil, and the coefficient of friction (µ) and the wear track diameter (mm) were determined.
The results are given in Tables 1-1 and 1-2.



[0032] As can be seen from a comparison of the data in Table 1-1 vs. Table 1-2, the oil
composition according to the invention provides significantly improved coefficient
of function, wear track diameter or both over the comparative composition set forth
in Table 1-2.
[0033] The lubricating oil composition of the present invention has excellent antiwear properties
and also excellent friction reducing properties, and is suitable for use as a lubricating
oil for, for example, internal combustion engines, automatic transmissions, suspensions
and power steering wheels, particularly as a lubricating oil for internal combustion
engines.
1. A lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil containing (A) 0.04 to 0.12% by
weight in terms of phosphorus, based on the whole composition, of a zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate
containing 50 to 100% by weight in terms of phosphorus, based on the total phosphorus
content, of a zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate having secondary alkyl groups and 50 to
0% by weight in terms of phosphorus, based on the total phosphorus content, of a zinc
dialkyl dithiophosphate having primary alkyl groups, (B) 1.0 to 3.0% by weight of
a calcium sulfonate and 0.3 to 2.5% by weight of a calcium salicylate, and (C) 50
to 2000 ppm in terms of molybdenum of a sulfurized oxymolybdenum dithiocarbamate containing
at least one hydrocarbyl group having 8 to 23 carbon atoms, wherein the oil composition
is characterized by having a total base number of 2 to 13.
2. The oil composition of claim 1, wherein the base oil is a hydrocracked oil and/or
a wax isomerized oil containing 3.0% by weight or below of an aromatic component and
having a sulfur content of 50 ppm or below and a nitrogen content of 50 ppm or below.
3. The oil composition of claim 1, wherein the zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate having secondary
alkyl groups has the general formula:

wherein R
1 and R
2 are each independently a secondary alkyl group having 3 to 25 carbon atoms.
4. The oil composition of claim 1, wherein the zinc dialkyldithiophosphate having primary
alkyl groups has the formula:

wherein R
3 and R
4 are each independently a primary alkyl group having 8 to 25 carbon atoms.
5. The oil composition of claim 1, wherein the calcium salicylate has the formula:

wherein R
5 is a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group having 8 to 23 carbon atoms.
6. The oil composition of claim 1, wherein the sulfurized oxymolybdenum dithiocarbamate
has the formula:

where R
6 and R
7 are each independently a hydrocarbyl group having 8 to 23 carbon atoms and the sum
of m + n is 4.
1. Schmierölzusammensetzung, die ein Basisöl umfaßt, das (A) 0,04 bis 0,12 Gew.-%, ausgedrückt
als Phosphorgehalt bezogen auf die Gesamtzusammensetzung, Zinkdialkyldithiophosphat,
das 50 bis 100 Gew.-%, ausgedrückt als Phosphorgehalt bezogen auf den Gesamtphosphorgehalt,
Zinkdialkyldithiophosphat mit sekundären Alkylgruppen und 50 bis 0 Gew.-%, ausgedrückt
als Phosphorgehalt bezogen auf den Gesamtphosphorgehalt, Zinkdialkyldithiophosphat
mit primären Alkylgruppen enthält, (B) 1,0 bis 3,0 Gew.-% Calciumsulfonat und 0,3
bis 2,5 Gew.-% Caliumsalicylat sowie (C) 50 bis 2000 ppm, ausgedrückt als Molybdängehalt,
sulfuriertes Oxymolybdändithiocarbamat mit mindestens einer Kohlenwasserstoffgruppe
mit 8 bis 23 Kohlenstoffatomen enthält und die Ölzusammensetzung durch eine Gesamtbasenzahl
von 2 bis 13 gekennzeichnet ist.
2. Ölzusammensetzung nach Anspruch 1, bei der das Basisöl ein hydrierend gecracktes Öl
und/oder ein wachsisomerisiertes Öl ist, das 3,0 Gew.-% oder weniger aromatische Komponente
enthält, einen Schwefelgehalt von 50 ppm oder weniger und einen Stickstoffgehalt von
50 ppm oder weniger aufweist.
3. Ölzusammensetzung nach Anspruch 1, bei der das Zinkdialkyldithiophosphat mit sekundären
Alkylgruppen die allgemeine Formel:

aufweist, in der R
1 und R
2 jeweils unabhängig sekundäre Alkylgruppen mit 3 bis 25 Kohlenstoffatomen sind.
4. Ölzusammensetzung nach Anspruch 1, bei der das Zinkdialkyldithiophosphat mit primären
Alkylgruppen die Formel:

aufweist, in der R
3 und R
4 jeweils unabhängig primäre Alkylgruppen mit 8 bis 25 Kohlenstoffatomen sind.
5. Ölzusammensetzung nach Anspruch 1, bei der das Calciumsalicylat die Formel:

aufweist, in der R
5 eine lineare, verzweigte oder zyklische Alkylgruppe mit 8 bis 23 Kohlenstoffatomen
ist.
6. Ölzusammensetzung nach Anspruch 1, bei der das sulfurierte Oxymolybdändithiocarbamat
die Formel:

aufweist, in der R
6 und R
7 jeweils unabhängig Kohlenwasserstoffgruppen mit 8 bis 23 Kohlenstoffatomen sind und
die Summe von m + n = 4 ist.
1. Composition d'huile lubrifiante comprenant une huile de base contenant (A) 0,04 à
0,12% en poids (en terme de phosphore), par rapport à la composition totale, d'un
dialkyl dithiophosphate de zinc contenant 50 à 100% en poids (en terme de phosphore),
par rapport à la teneur totale en phosphore, d'un dialkyl dithiophosphate de zinc
ayant des groupes alkyle secondaires, et 50 à 0% en poids (en terme de phosphore),
par rapport à la teneur en phosphore totale, d'un dialkyl dithiophosphate de zinc
ayant des groupes alkyle primaires, (B) 1,0 à 3,0% en poids d'un sulfonate de calcium
et 0,3 à 2,5% en poids d'un salicylate de calcium, et (C) 50 à 2000 ppm (en terme
de molybdène) d'un dithiocarbamate d'oxymolybdène sulfurisé contenant au moins un
groupe hydrocarbure ayant 8 à 23 atomes de carbone, dans laquelle la composition d'huile
est caractérisée par un indice de base total de 2 à 13.
2. Composition d'huile selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'huile de base est une
huile hydrocraquée et/ou une huile isomérisée à base de cire contenant 3,0 % en poids
ou moins d'un composant aromatique et ayant une teneur en soufre de 50 ppm ou moins
et une teneur en azote de 50 ppm ou moins.
3. Composition d'huile selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle le dialkyl dithiophosphate
de zinc ayant des groupes alkyle secondaires a pour formule générale :

dans laquelle R
1 et R
2 sont chacun indépendamment un groupe alkyle sccondaire ayant 3 à 25 atomes de carbone.
4. Composition d'huile selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle le dialkyl dithiophosphate
de zinc ayant des groupes alkyle primaires a pour formule :

dans laquelle R
3 et R
4 sont chacun indépendamment un groupe alkyle primaire ayant 8 à 25 atomes de carbone.
5. Composition d'huile selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle le salicylate de calcium
a pour formule :

dans laquelle R
5 est un groupe alkyle linéaire, ramifié ou cyclique ayant 8 à 23 atomes de carbone.
6. Composition d'huile selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle le dithiocarbamate d'oxymolybdène
sulfurisé a pour formule :

dans laquelle R
6 et R
7 sont chacun indépendamment un groupe hydrocarbyle ayant 8 à 23 atomes de carbone
et la somme (m + n) est égale à 4.