Fluid Composition Having Excellent Fire-Resistance

Abstract

A fluid composition includes a poly(alkylene glycol) present in an amount of greater than 85 parts by weight based on the total weight of the fluid composition, and a sterically hindered ester present in an amount of from 0.5 up to 15 parts by weight based on the total weight of the fluid composition. The sterically hindered ester, present in the amount of from 0.5 up to 15 parts by weight based on the total weight of the fluid composition, provides the fluid compositions with excellent fire resistance, without adversely affecting other physical properties of the fluid compositions such as hydrolytic stability. More specifically, the sterically hindered ester has a higher fire point (F p ) than the poly(alkylene glycol), which typically sufficiently lowers the S.F.P. of the fluid composition to allow the fluid composition to rate as a Factory Mutual Approved Fluid.

1 . A fluid composition comprising:
 a poly(alkylene glycol) present in an amount of greater than 85 parts by weight based on the total weight of said fluid composition, and   a sterically hindered ester present in an amount of from 0.5 up to 15 parts by weight based on the total weight of said fluid composition.   
     
     
         2 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 1  that is substantially free of water. 
     
     
         3 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said ester is present in an amount of from 0.5 to 5 parts by weight based on the total weight of said fluid composition. 
     
     
         4 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said poly(alkylene glycol) has a number average molecular weight of less than or equal to about 1500 g/mol. 
     
     
         5 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said sterically hindered ester is of the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1 -R 4  are each selected from the group of: 
         a C 1  to C 18  carbon group, an ester group having the formula: 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 5  comprises a C 1  to C 5  carbon group and R 6  comprises a C 4  to C 18  carbon chain optionally comprising ethylenic unsaturation, provided that at least two of R 1 -R 4  comprise said ester group, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said ester comprises the reaction product of a sterically hindered polyol and a fatty acid. 
     
     
         7 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said sterically hindered polyol has at least one carbon atom chosen from of the group of a tertiary carbon atom and a quaternary carbon atom. 
     
     
         8 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 7  where said sterically hindered polyol has at least three hydroxyl functional groups. 
     
     
         9 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said fatty acid has at least 4 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         10 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said ester is selected from the group of trimethylol propane trioleate, pentaerythritol tetraoleate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said fatty acid has at least 4 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         12 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said ester comprises the reaction product of a hindered polycarboxylic acid and an alcohol. 
     
     
         13 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said poly(alkylene glycol) is of the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 7  comprises a C 1  to C 8  carbon group, R 8  is a C 2  to C 4  carbon chain, and n is at least 1. 
       
     
     
         14 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said poly(alkylene glycol) comprises the reaction product of an alcohol and an alkylene oxide. 
     
     
         15 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said alcohol is selected from the group of monofunctional alcohols, difunctional alcohols, polyfunctional alcohols, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said alcohol comprises a monofunctional alcohol. 
     
     
         17 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said monofunctional alcohol comprises butanol. 
     
     
         18 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said alkylene oxide is selected from the group of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said alkylene oxide comprises about 100% propylene oxide. 
     
     
         20 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said poly(alkylene glycol) comprises a propylene oxide adduct of butanol. 
     
     
         21 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said poly(alkylene glycol) has a number average molecular weight of less than or equal to about 1500 g/mol. 
     
     
         22 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising an antioxidant. 
     
     
         23 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 22  wherein said antioxidant is further defined as an amine-based antioxidant. 
     
     
         24 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 22  wherein said antioxidant is present in an amount of at least 0.1 parts by weight based on the total weight of said fluid composition. 
     
     
         25 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising an additive selected from the group of lubricity additives, corrosion inhibitors, metal passivators, anti-foam additives, dyes, perfumes, detergents, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         26 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 1  having a fire point of greater than or equal to 550° F. 
     
     
         27 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 26  having a fire point of greater than or equal to 600° F. 
     
     
         28 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 1  having a spray flammability parameter of less than or equal to 5.5 as measured in accordance with CN 6930. 
     
     
         29 . A fluid composition as set forth in  claim 1  further defined as a lubricating composition.