Natural oil derivative based thickener components used in grease compositions and processes for making such compositions

Abstract

A grease composition is disclosed, having from 50 to 99 weight percent of a lubricating base oil, from 1 to 30 weight percent of a thickener component including one or more of (i) one or more natural oil derivatives selected from the group consisting of triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides, or oligomers therefrom, fatty acid methyl esters and corresponding fatty acids, salts, and dibasic esters therefrom, and C 10- C 15 esters, C 15- C 18 esters, or C + diesters, or diesters therefrom, (ii) one or more carboxylic acids and/or derivatives thereof, and (iii) one or more of a metal base compound, and from 1 to 15 weight percent of one or more optional additives. Processes for making grease compositions are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A grease composition comprising:
 (a) from 50 to 99 weight percent of a lubricating base oil,   (b) from 1 to 30 weight percent of a thickener component comprising one or more of (i) one or more natural oil derivatives selected from the group consisting of triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides, or oligomers therefrom, fatty acid methyl esters and corresponding fatty acids, salts, and dibasic esters therefrom, and C 10- C 15  esters, C 15- C 18  esters, or C 18+  esters, or diesters therefrom, (ii) one or more carboxylic acids and/or derivatives thereof, and (iii) one or more of a metal base compound; and   (c) from 1 to 15 weight percent of one or more optional additives.   
     
     
         2 . The grease composition of  claim 1 , wherein the lubricating base oil comprises a mineral oil, a synthetic oil, a natural oil, or a natural oil derivative, individually or in combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The grease composition of  claim 2 , wherein the lubricating base oil comprises a polyalphaolefin base oil. 
     
     
         4 . The grease composition of  claim 1 , wherein the dibasic esters comprise octadecanedioic acid dimethyl esters. 
     
     
         5 . The grease composition of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more carboxylic acids and/or derivatives thereof comprises a C 2 -C 36  mono-, di-, tri-, and/or poly-carboxylic acid and/or derivative thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The grease composition of  claim 5 , wherein the C 2 -C 36  mono-, di-, tri-, and/or poly- carboxylic acid and/or derivative thereof comprises a hydroxy-substituted, aliphatic, cyclic, alicyclic, aromatic, branched, saturated, unsaturated , or heteroatom substituted, carboxylic acid or ester derivative thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The grease composition of  claim 1 , wherein the C 2 -C 36  mono-, di-, tri-, and/or poly- carboxylic acid and/or derivative thereof comprises a C 12 -C 24  hydroxy carboxylic acid or C 12 -C 24  hydroxy ester derivative of such acids. 
     
     
         8 . The grease composition of  claim 7 , wherein the C 12 -C 24  hydroxy carboxylic acid or ester derivative of such acids is 12-hydroxystearic acid and ester derivatives. 
     
     
         9 . The grease composition of  claim 8 , wherein the C 12 -C 24  hydroxy carboxylic acid ester derivative is 12-hydroxystearate. 
     
     
         10 . The grease composition of  claim 1 , wherein said metal base compound is a metal hydroxide selected from the group consisting of calcium hydroxide, strontium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and magnesium hydroxide. 
     
     
         11 . The grease composition of  claim 1 , wherein said optional additives are selected from the group consisting of: metal deactivators, antioxidants, antiwear agents, rust inhibitors, viscosity modifiers, extreme pressure agents, and corrosion inhibitors. 
     
     
         12 . A grease composition comprising:
 (a) about 75 to 85 weight percent of a lubricating base oil comprising a polyalphaolefin base oil,   (b) about 15 to 25 weight percent of a thickener component comprising one or more of (i) one or more natural oil derivatives comprising esters comprise octadecanedioic acid dimethyl esters, (ii) one or more carboxylic acids comprising 12-hydroxystearic acid, and (iii) one or more of a metal base compound comprising lithium hydroxide; and   (c) from 1 to 15 weight percent of one or more optional additives selected from the group consisting of metal deactivators, antioxidants, antiwear agents, rust inhibitors, viscosity modifiers, extreme pressure agents, and corrosion inhibitors.