Lubricant composition and mechanical element

Abstract

A novel lubricant composition is disclosed. The lubricant composition comprises at least one organic compound, and, when disposed between two surfaces moving at peripheral speeds differing from each other, is capable of exhibiting a discotic columnar phase or a discotic lamellar phase in which a plurality of molecules of said organic compound is assembled.

1 . A lubricant composition comprising at least one organic compound, being capable of exhibiting a discotic columnar phase or a discotic lamellar phase in which a plurality of molecules of said organic compound is assembled when disposed between two surfaces moving at peripheral speeds differing from each other.  
     
     
         2 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1 , having a pressure-viscosity coefficient at 40° C. of 20 GPa −1  or below.  
     
     
         3 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1 , wherein, when disposed under shear between said two surfaces moving at peripheral speeds differing from each other, a plurality of molecules of said organic compound are aligned with their molecular planes, having a maximum diffusion sectional area, being parallel to said two surfaces, thereby to form a molecular assembly.  
     
     
         4 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1 , exhibiting a minimum traction coefficient under a pressure of 10 MPa or more.  
     
     
         5 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1 , exhibiting a traction coefficient of 0.05 or below.  
     
     
         6 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1 , wherein said organic compound has at least two aromatic rings, at least one condensed ring, or a π-conjugation plane.  
     
     
         7 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1 , wherein said organic compound exhibits a liquid crystal phase under normal pressure.  
     
     
         8 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1 , comprising two species or more of said organic compound.  
     
     
         9 . A mechanical element comprising two surfaces moving at peripheral speeds differing from each other, and a lubricant as set forth in  claim 1  disposed between said two surfaces.