Process for obtaining an intermetallic compound and use thereof in lubricating oils

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for obtaining an intermetallic compound having magnetic properties, added to a base lubricant to reduce friction between metal surfaces and reduce wear of diverse types of equipment prolonging the working life thereof. The intermetallic compound of the present invention is formed by pulverised nanometric substantially-spherical particles having an extremely active surface, capable of forming a thin adherent film when applied to a metal surface, conferring protection against frictional movements produced by contact between metals. Said intermetallic compound is a new additive for addition to a base lubricating oil, conferring high performance on such oil.

1 . Process for obtaining an intermetallic compound for reduction of friction on metal surfaces characterised in that the final product is an additive formed of pulverised nanometric substantially-spherical particles of iron nitrides and carbonitrides, having hexagonal crystalline structure, for addition to a base lubricating oil to provide efficacious performance in reduction of friction between metal surfaces and reduction of wear of diverse types of equipment, prolonging the working life thereof. 
     
     
         2 . Process for obtaining an intermetallic compound according to  claim 1  characterised in that the particles of such additive form an extremely-active surface, stable at high temperatures and forming a thin adherent film when applied to a metal surface. 
     
     
         3 . Process for obtaining an intermetallic compound according to  claim 1  characterised in that said process consists of a reaction of reduction and of formation of the product. 
     
     
         4 . Process for obtaining an intermetallic compound according to  claim 1 , characterised in that such reaction of reduction comprises a precursor and a reducing gas. 
     
     
         5 . Process for obtaining an intermetallic compound according to  claim 1 , characterised in that such precursor is iron oxide and the reducing gas is hydrogen. 
     
     
         6 . Process for obtaining an intermetallic compound according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said reaction occurs at temperatures of approximately 800° C., preferably in a temperature band from 300-800° C., in a rotating-chamber reactor for a period of up to 10 hours, preferentially in a period from 5-10 hours. 
     
     
         7 . Process for obtaining an intermetallic compound according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said reaction preferentially occurs at a temperature of 700° C. over a preferential period of 7 hours. 
     
     
         8 . Process for obtaining an intermetallic compound according to  claim 1 , characterised in that removal of oxygen occurs by addition of ammonia and methane to such reactor at temperatures of approximately 800° C., preferentially in a temperature band from 300-800° c., for a period of up to 10 hours, preferentially in a period from 1-6 hours. 
     
     
         9 . Process for obtaining an intermetallic compound according to  claim 1 , characterised in that such removal of oxygen occurs preferentially at a temperature of 570° C. over a preferential period of realisation of 5 hours. 
     
     
         10 . Process for obtaining an intermetallic compound according to  claim 1  characterised in that the reaction system is cooled to a preferential temperature of 25° C. and the flow of hydrogen gas is maintained constant. 
     
     
         11 . Process for obtaining an intermetallic compound according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the product obtained possesses a diameter of up to 500 nm. 
     
     
         12 . Process for obtaining an intermetallic compound according to  claim 1 , characterised in that such product obtained possesses a preferential diameter in a band from 300 to 500 nm. 
     
     
         13 . Lubricating oil characterised in that it contains nanometric particles formed of iron nitrides and carbonitrides obtained by the process claimed in  claim 1 .