Lubricant composition

Abstract

Provided is a lubricant composition derived from renewable materials and that is useable in cold weather conditions and exhibits oxidative stability. The lubricant composition comprises a polymer of Formula (I), wherein R and p are as described in this specification.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lubricant composition comprising a polymer represented by the formula I: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein p is 2 or 3 or fraction between 2 and 3, R at each occurrence is independently a group of the formula: 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         n is an integer from 6 to 13, one of R 1  and R 2  is H and one is linear or branched C 1 -C 7  alkyl, and m is an integer or fraction from 2 to 5. 
       
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1  wherein R 1  is H and R 2  is methyl. 
     
     
         4 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1  wherein m is an integer or fraction from 2 to 3. 
     
     
         5 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1  wherein n is an integer from 7 to 9. 
     
     
         6 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1  wherein the polymer exhibits a viscosity at 40 degrees Celsius (V40) of at least 30 centistokes and a viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius (V100) of at least 7 centistokes. 
     
     
         7 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1  wherein the polymer exhibits a viscosity at 40 degrees Celsius (V40) of at least 50 centistokes and a viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius (V100) of at least 9 centistokes. 
     
     
         8 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1  wherein the polymer exhibits a pour point of −40 degrees Celsius or lower without a pour point depressant. 
     
     
         9 . A method of lubricating an apparatus, comprising providing a lubricant composition according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A method for making the polymer of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 (a) reacting a polyol and an alkylene oxide compound under alkoxylation conditions to form an alkoxylate;   (b) esterifying the alkoxylate of step (a) with a fatty acid or its alkyl ester under esterification conditions to form the polymer of  claim 1 .