Lubricant

Abstract

A solid lubricant composition which can be used for lubrication of railway wheel to rail contact points. The composition can be adjusted to create lubricants having targeted coefficient of friction properties for optimal performance at the specific sites of application whether on the wheel flange or wheel tread areas. The compound is preferably composed of powder and liquid elements and extruded directly into a finished solid lubricant stick.

I claim: 
     
         1 ) A solid lubricant stick comprised of:
 a. a liquid lubricant comprising more than 5% but less than 75% of said stick by weight;   b. a melt viscosity modifier and absorbent comprising about 1% to 25% of said stick by weight; and   c. polymeric matrix containment envelope comprising of olefinic polymers constituting at least 10% but less than 25% of said stick by weight.   
     
     
         2 ) The solid lubricant stick of  claim 1  where said liquid lubricant is selected from a group comprised of one or more of the following: mineral oil, petroleum oil, synthetic oil, vegetable oil, silicone oil, propylene glycol, and liquid extreme pressure additive. 
     
     
         3 ) The solid lubricant stick of  claim 1  where said melt viscosity modifier and absorbent is selected from a group comprised of one or more of the following: silica, talc, and magnesium carbonate. 
     
     
         4 ) The solid lubricant stick of  claim 1  where the polymeric matrix is polyethylene with a specific gravity of between 0.920 to 0.965; and having a melt index between 0.3 to 5.0, in a proportion of from 5% to 24% of the total blend, and an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene in a proportion of 1% to 24% of the total blend. 
     
     
         5 ) The solid lubricant stick of  claim 1  further comprising a color pigment comprising about 1% of said stick by weight. 
     
     
         6 ) A solid lubricant stick comprised of: about 65% liquid lubricant, about 15% ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, about 11% high density polyethylene and 0% to 1% color component. 
     
     
         7 ) A solid lubricant stick comprised of: about 70% liquid lubricant, about 9% absorbent, about 8% ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, about 12% high density polyethylene and 0% to 1% color component. 
     
     
         8 ) A solid lubricant stick comprised of: about 68% polydimethyl siloxane, about 8% absorbent, about 10% ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, about 13% high density polyethylene and 0% to 1% color component. 
     
     
         9 ) A solid lubricant stick comprised of: about 40% polydimethyl siloxane, about 25% propylene glycol, about 10% absorbent, about 12% ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, about 12% high density polyethylene and 0% to 1% color component.