Composition and Method for Lubricating Automotive Gears, Axles and Bearings

Abstract

The disclosed technology relates to a lubricant composition for automotive gears, axles and bearings, the lubricant composition containing an oil of lubricating viscosity and an oil-soluble titanium compound in place of boron compounds, as well as a method of obtaining thermal stability performance in automotive gears, axles and bearings without the boron content that is typical, by lubricating such automotive gears, axles and bearings with a lubricant composition containing an oil-soluble titanium compound and an amine-containing phosphorus rainwear agent.

1 . A lubricant composition comprising an oil of lubricating viscosity, an amine-containing phosphorus antiwear agent, and an oil-soluble titanium compound, wherein the lubricant composition is substantially free (or free) of boron, and wherein the lubricant comprises a total sulfur level of about 0.75 to about 5 wt. %. 
     
     
         2 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the oil-soluble titanium compound comprises at least one of titanium (IV) sulfide; titanium (IV) nitrate; titanium (IV) alkoxides; titanium phenates; titanium carboxylates; titanium phosphates; titanium sulfonates. 
     
     
         3 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1 , where the oil-soluble titanium compound comprises titanium (IV) 2-ethylhexoxide. 
     
     
         4 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises greater than 200 ppm titanium. 
     
     
         5 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1  wherein the amine-containing phosphorus antiwear agent as an amine (thio)phosphate salt. 
     
     
         6 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the lubricant comprises a total phosphorus level of about 0.03-0.5 wt. %. 
     
     
         7 . The lubricant composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an additional phosphorus-containing agent other than the amine-containing phosphorus antiwear agent. 
     
     
         8 . A method of lubricating a driveline device, comprising supplying to the driveline device the lubricant composition of  claim 1 , and operating the driveline device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the driveline device comprises an axle. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the driveline device comprises a bearing. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the driveline device comprises a gear.