Lubricant composition and its use

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a composition having a lubricating effect and to the use of said composition as a lubricant in metal drilling or tapping operations.

[0002] The lubricants hitherto used in drilling or tapping operations in metal, especially steel and aluminium, suffer from the disadvantage that they wholly or partly lose their lubricating effect already after a short period of operation. Fresh lubricant must constantly be supplied to the hole. Furthermore, no lubricant has so far been conceived which produces smooth surfaces directly upon drilling or tapping, and to obtain the desired smoothness some type of subsequent treatment of the hole has been necessary.

[0003] Some of the lubricants employed incorporate components which, upon drilling or tapping, give off substances which tend to produce irritation in persons standing close to the drilling operation and, furthermore, may be injurious when inhaled or getting into contact with the skin. A great deal of money must thus be invested in preventive measures to protect employees, for instance by providing exhaust ventilation over the work place and cleaning the exhaust air from the factory premises.

[0004] The present invention provides a lubricant composition which is effective over a long period of time and, furthermore, is harmless to the environment.

[0005] The composition according to the present invention comprises resin, an oil or a grease and, optionally, wax. The invention also comprises the use of the composition as a lubricant in metal drilling or tapping operations, especially in steel or aluminium.

[0006] By using the composition according to the present invention as a lubricant in drilling or tapping operations in metals, especially steel and aluminium, a much longer effect is obtained than has so far been possible. The composition stays on the drill or the tap in the form of a lubricating layer during drilling or tapping, simultaneously as a very smooth surface in the hole is obtained. In most cases, no subsequent treatment is required. This is especially surprising in connection with drilling or tapping operations in aluminium which is generally recognised as a material extremely difficult to machine.

[0007] The reason why the oil or grease retains its lubricating effect on the drill or the tap apparently is that the resin and the wax, if any, forms a film on the drill or tap, which film retains the oil or the grease which thus can exercise its lubricating effect over a long period of time.

[0008] The oil or grease may be of animal, vegetable or mineral origin, but best is an animal or vegetable oil or fat to avoid injurious effects upon the user. Thus, it is possible to use conventional vegetable or animal oils which are used as cooking oil, and also butter or lard.

[0009] Wax is added to the composition if a more paste-like consistency is desired. The more wax is added, the more paste-like will be the consistency of the composition. The preferred wax is beeswax which is harmless to human beings. If no wax is added, a cutting oil, i.e. a liquid composition, is obtained.

[0010] The composition is prepared by melting together the different ingredients. Resin normally has a melting point of about 135°C, but in admixture to the remaining ingredients of the composition, the resin melts already at about 90°C.

[0011] It is, therefore, a further advantage of the present invention that no other solvents are required in the preparation, whereby a further hazard of prior art lubricant compositions is avoided.

[0012] The proportion of the different ingredients of the composition may vary within rather wide limits, depending upon the consistency one requires for the finished composition. A proposed composition is as follows:

3-6 parts by weight of fat or oil

3-5 parts by weight of resin

optionally, 1-3 parts by weight of beeswax.

[0013] The composition may also contain minor amounts of other components, such as different types of fillers, or other additives which do not affect the above- mentioned effect of the composition.

[0014] The resin employed is a natural resin, such as rosin which is a vegetable sap product from conifers. Also other natural resins may be used.

Claims

1. A lubricant composition, characterised in that it comprises resin, oil or fat and, optionally, wax.

2. Composition as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the oil or fat is of vegetable or animal origin.

3. Composition as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the wax is beeswax.

4. Composition as claimed in one or more of claims 1-3, characterised in that the resin is a rosin.

5. Composition as claimed in one or more of claims 1-4, characterised in that it comprises 3-5 parts by weight of resin, 3-6 parts by weight of oil or fat and, optionally, 1-3 parts by weight of wax.

6. Use of a composition comprising resin, oil or fat and, optionally, wax, as a lubricant in drilling or tapping operations in metal, especially steel or aluminium.