Grease composition displaying improved adhesivity

Abstract

The present invention relates to a grease composition and a method of improving the adhesivity of a grease composition, the grease composition including (i) at least one base oil, (ii) at least one calcium sulfonate soap, and (iii) at least one dicarboxylic acid ester copolymer including constituent units derived from (a) at least one-α-olefin and (b) at least one ester formed by esterification of an α-β-ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof with an alcohol, the molar ratio of (a)/(b) ranging from 0.5 and to 4.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A grease composition comprising:
 (i) a base oil;   (ii) a calcium sulfonate soap; and   (iii) a dicarboxylic acid ester copolymer comprising constituent units deriving from:
 (a) an α-olefin; and 
 (b) an ester formed by esterification of an α-β-ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof with an alcohol, wherein a molar ratio of (a)/(b) ranges from 0.5 to 4. 
   
     
     
         18 . The grease composition according to  claim 17 , wherein the α-olefin comprises between 8 and 24 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         19 . The grease composition according to  claim 17 , wherein the α-β-ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid is selected from maleic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, or itaconic acid. 
     
     
         20 . The grease composition according to  claim 17 , wherein the alcohol comprises between 3 and 10 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         21 . The grease composition according to  claim 17 , wherein the alcohol is selected from ethoxylated, linear or branched alcohols, having a degree of ethoxylation ranging from 1 to 45. 
     
     
         22 . The grease composition according to  claim 17 , wherein the grease composition comprises from 2% to 20% by weight of the dicarboxylic acid ester copolymer, relative to the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         23 . The grease composition according to  claim 17 , wherein the base oil comprises natural mineral oil, synthetic mineral oil, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The grease composition according to  claim 17 , wherein the base oil comprises:
 a mixture of a polyalphaolefin and a white mineral oil; or   a mixture of a naphthenic mineral oil and a paraffinic mineral oil.   
     
     
         25 . The grease composition according to  claim 17 , wherein the grease composition comprises from 25% to 75% by weight of the base oil, relative to the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         26 . The grease composition according to  claim 17 , wherein the calcium sulfonate is over-based. 
     
     
         27 . The grease composition according to  claim 17 , wherein the grease composition comprises from 10% to 50% by weight of the calcium sulfonate soap, relative to the total weight of the grease composition. 
     
     
         28 . The grease composition according to  claim 17 , further comprising an additive selected from anti-oxidants, anti-rust agents, anti-corrosion agents, copper passivating agents, anti-wear agents, extreme pressure agents, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The grease composition according to  claim 17 , further comprising at least one polymer. 
     
     
         30 . The grease composition according to  claim 17 , wherein the grease composition has a consistency ranging between 220 and 340 tenths of a millimeter, as measured according to the ASTM D217 standard. 
     
     
         31 . A method for improving the adhesivity of a grease composition, as measured according to the DIN 51807 standard, the grease composition comprising:
 (i) a base oil; and   (ii) a calcium sulfonate soap;   the method comprising adding into the grease composition a dicarboxylic acid ester copolymer comprising constituent units deriving from (a) a α-olefin and (b) an ester formed by esterification of an α-β-ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, with an alcohol,   wherein a molar ratio of (a)/(b) ranges from 0.5 to 4.   
     
     
         32 . A mechanical component lubrication process, comprising contacting the mechanical component with a grease composition of  claim 17 . 
     
     
         33 . The composition according to  claim 17 , wherein the α-olefin comprises between 14 and 16 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         34 . The composition according to  claim 17 , wherein the grease composition comprises from 8% to 10% by weight of the dicarboxylic acid ester copolymer, relative to the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         35 . The grease composition according to  claim 17 , further comprising a polymer selected from a polyolefin, a polyisobutene (PIB), a polyethylene, a polypropylene, a heavy polyalphaolefin (PAO), an olefin copolymer (OCP), a polymethacrylate (PMA), or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The grease composition according to  claim 17 , wherein the grease composition has a consistency ranging between 250 and 290 tenths of a millimeter, as measured according to the ASTM D217 standard.