(19)
(11) EP 0 700 425 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
08.07.1998 Bulletin 1998/28

(21) Application number: 94918149.9

(22) Date of filing: 27.05.1994
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6C10M 163/00
// (C10M163/00, 129:54, 135:10, 135:18, 137:10, 159:22, 159:24), C10N10:04, C10N10:12, C10N30:06
(86) International application number:
PCT/US9406/002
(87) International publication number:
WO 9428/095 (08.12.1994 Gazette 1994/27)

(54)

LUBRICATING OIL COMPOSITION

SCHMIERÖLZUSAMMENSETZUNG

COMPOSITION D'HUILE LUBRIFIANTE


(84) Designated Contracting States:
BE DE FR GB IT NL

(30) Priority: 27.05.1993 JP 148670/93

(43) Date of publication of application:
13.03.1996 Bulletin 1996/11

(73) Proprietor: EXXON RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
Florham Park, New Jersey 07932-0390 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • ARAI, Katsuya
    Ohi-machi, Iruma-gun, Saitama-ken 356 (JP)
  • ASANO, Satoshi
    Asaka-shi, Saitama-ken 351 (JP)
  • WADA, Sadao
    Shiki-shi, Saitama-ken 353 (JP)

(74) Representative: Fletcher Watts, Susan J. et al
ESSO Engineering (Europe) Limited, Patents and Licences, Mailpoint 72, Esso House, Ermyn Way
Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8XE
Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8XE (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A- 0 113 045
US-A- 3 840 463
US-A- 4 832 867
EP-A- 0 562 172
US-A- 4 832 857
US-A- 5 281 347
   
  • DATABASE WPI Section Ch, Week 7950 Derwent Publications Ltd., London, GB; Class E19, AN 79-90743B XP002008053 & SU-A-654 669 (ISAENKO YU K) , 30 March 1979
  • DATABASE WPI Section Ch, Week 8427 Derwent Publications Ltd., London, GB; Class E12, AN 84-169513 XP002008054 & SU-A-1 049 528 (VITEB LIGHT IND TEC) , 23 October 1983
  • DATABASE WPI Section Ch, Week 9306 Derwent Publications Ltd., London, GB; Class E19, AN 93-046062 XP002008055 & CN-A-1 061 428 (YIPING CHEM PLANT CHINA PETROCHEMICAL) , 27 May 1992
   
Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


Description

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 R1 and R2 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 R3 and R4 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], R5 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 R6 and R7 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. R6 and R7 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.


Claims

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 R1 and R2 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 R3 and R4 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 R5 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 R6 and R7 are each independently a hydrocarbyl group having 8 to 23 carbon atoms and the sum of m + n is 4.
 


Ansprüche

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 R1 und R2 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 R3 und R4 jeweils unabhängig primäre Alkylgruppen mit 8 bis 25 Kohlenstoffatomen sind.
 
5. Ölzusammensetzung nach Anspruch 1, bei der das Calciumsalicylat die Formel:

aufweist, in der R5 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 R6 und R7 jeweils unabhängig Kohlenwasserstoffgruppen mit 8 bis 23 Kohlenstoffatomen sind und die Summe von m + n = 4 ist.
 


Revendications

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 R1 et R2 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 R3 et R4 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 R5 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 R6 et R7 sont chacun indépendamment un groupe hydrocarbyle ayant 8 à 23 atomes de carbone et la somme (m + n) est égale à 4.