Lithium Complex Hybrid Grease

Abstract

A lithium complex hybrid grease is based on a lithium complex grease in combination with a PFPE grease. The lithium complex hybrid grease can be used at higher temperatures, does not form layers in the process, and exhibits a low hardening tendency. The lithium complex hybrid grease is usable in components in the automotive field and in the industrial field.

1 . A lithium complex hybrid grease containing:
 (A) 70% to 7% by weight of an ester or an ester mixture selected from the group consisting of trimellitic acid esters containing linear and branched alkyl groups containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms, as alkoxy groups, wherein the alkoxy groups may be identical or different, pyromellitic acid esters, hydrogenated or unhydrogenated dimeric acids, estolides,   (B) 0.5% to 20% by weight of unhydrogenated, hydrogenated or fully hydrogenated polyisobutylene or mixtures thereof,   (C) 1% to 18% by weight of lithium complex soaps and   (D) 5% to 70% by weight of perfluoropolyether (PFPE).   
     
     
         2 . The lithium complex grease as claimed in  claim 1 , further containing:
 (E) 1% to 30% by weight of a further thickener.   
     
     
         3 . The lithium complex hybrid grease as claimed in  claim 1 , further containing:
 (F) 0% to 20% by weight, preferably 2% to 20% by weight, of a further oil component.   
     
     
         4 . The lithium complex hybrid grease as claimed in  claim 1 , further containing:
 (G) 0% to 10% by weight, preferably 0.1% to 10% by weight, of additives.   
     
     
         5 . The lithium complex hybrid grease as claimed in  claim 1 , further containing
 (H) 0% to 10% by weight, preferably 2% to 5% by weight, of solid lubricant.   
     
     
         6 . The lithium complex hybrid grease as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the pyromellitic acid ester of component (A) is tetrakis(2-ethylhexyl)pyromellitate and the dimeric acid is bis(2-ethylhexyl)dimerate. 
     
     
         7 . The lithium complex hybrid grease as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the component (E) is selected from the group consisting of Al complex soaps, metal monosoaps of elements of the first and second main group of the periodic table without lithium, metal complex soaps of elements of the first and second main group of the periodic table without lithium, bentonites, sulfonates, silicates, aerosil, polyimides, PTFE and a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The lithium complex hybrid grease as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that the component (F) is selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, alkylated benzenes, alkylated naphthalenes, aliphatic carboxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid esters, fatty acid triglycerides, alkylated diphenyl ethers, phloroglucinol esters and polyalphaolefins, alpha-olefin copolymers, metallocene-catalyzed polyalphaolefins. 
     
     
         9 . The lithium complex hybrid grease as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that the component (G) is selected from the group consisting of anticorrosion additives, antioxidants, antiwear additives, and UV stabilizers. 
     
     
         10 . The lithium complex hybrid grease as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that the component (H) is selected from the group consisting of BN, pyrophosphate, Zn oxide, Mg oxide, pyrophosphates, thiosulfates, Mg carbonate, Ca carbonate, Ca stearate, Zn sulfide, Mo sulfide, W sulfide, Sn sulfide, graphites, graphene, nanotubes, SiO 2  modifications and a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The use of the lithium complex hybrid grease as claimed in  claim 1  for lubrication of components in the field of anti-friction bearings, plain bearings, transport and timing chains in vehicle technology, in rail vehicles, in conveying technology, in film orienting lines, in corrugated board lines, of track roller bearings, fan bearings, bearings of traction engines, for lubricating bevel gear and spur gear transmissions, springs, screws and compressors, pneumatic components, valves and of machine components and in plants where occasional unintentional contact with foodstuffs occurs. 
     
     
         12 . A method for lubricating or greasing a component comprising:
 applying a lubricant composition to a surface of the component, the lubricant comprising:
 (A) 70% to 7% by weight of an ester or an ester mixture selected from the group consisting of trimellitic acid esters containing linear or branched alkyl groups containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 14 carbon atoms, as alkoxy groups, wherein the alkoxy groups may be identical or different, pyromellitic acid esters, hydrogenated and unhydrogenated dimeric acids, estolides, 
 (B) 0.5% to 20% by weight of unhydrogenated, hydrogenated or fully hydrogenated polyisobutylene or mixtures thereof, 
 (C) 1% to 18% by weight of lithium complex soaps and 
 (D) 5% to 70% by weight of perfluoropolyether (PFPE). 
   
     
     
         13 . A method for lubricating or greasing track roller bearings in continuous casting lines, transport roller bearings in conveyor furnaces, of open ring gears in rotary furnaces, tube mills, drums and mixers, bearings in corrugated board lines or film orienting lines or bearings in lines for production and transport of foodstuffs, the method comprising:
 applying a lubricant composition to the surface of the component, the lubricant comprising:
 (A) 70% to 7% by weight of an ester or an ester mixture selected from the group consisting of trimellitic acid esters containing linear or branched alkyl groups containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 14 carbon atoms, as alkoxy groups, wherein the alkoxy groups may be identical or different, pyromellitic acid esters, hydrogenated and unhydrogenated dimeric acids, estolides, 
 (B) 0.5% to 20% by weight of unhydrogenated, hydrogenated or fully hydrogenated polyisobutylene or mixtures thereof, 
 (C) 1% to 18% by weight of lithium complex soaps and 
 (D) 5% to 70% by weight of perfluoropolyether (PFPE). 
   
     
     
         14 . A method for reducing the hardening of lubricating greases at 200° C. and/or for reducing the oil separation of lubricating greases on track roller bearings in continuous casting lines, transport roller bearings in conveyor furnaces, of open ring gears in rotary furnaces, tube mills, drums and mixers, bearings in corrugated board lines or film orienting lines or bearings in lines for production and transport of foodstuffs, the method comprising:
 applying a lubricant composition to the surface of the component, the lubricant comprising:
 (A) 70% to 7% by weight of an ester or an ester mixture selected from the group consisting of trimellitic acid esters containing linear or branched alkyl groups containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 14 carbon atoms, as alkoxy groups, wherein the alkoxy groups may be identical or different, pyromellitic acid esters, hydrogenated and unhydrogenated dimeric acids, estolides, 
 (B) 0.5% to 20% by weight of unhydrogenated, hydrogenated or fully hydrogenated polyisobutylene or mixtures thereof, 
 (C) 1% to 18% by weight of lithium complex soaps and 
 (D) 5% to 70% by weight of perfluoropolyether (PFPE). 
 
 
     
     
         15 . The lithium complex hybrid grease as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the branched alkyl groups of component (A) contains 8 to 14 carbon atoms.