Carbodiimide for use as an additive in lubricants intended for drive device systems for improved elastomer compatibility

Abstract

Carbodiimide for use as an additive in lubricants intended for drive device systems for improved elastomer compatibilityThe present invention relates to a lubricant composition intended for a drive system, comprising at least one or more base oils, at least one carbodiimide additive and at least one basic organic additive improving TBN; as well as a process for lubricating a drive system using such a lubricating composition.It also relates to the use of at least one carbodiimide additive in a lubricant composition intended for a drive system, to improve its compatibility with elastomers.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A lubricant for a drive system, the lubricant comprising:
 at least one base oil;   at least one carbodiimide additive; and   at least one basic organic additive that increases the total base number (TBN) of the lubricant, as measured according to the standard ASTM D2896.   
     
     
         17 . The lubricant of  claim 16 , wherein the carbodiimide additive is represented by formula (I):
   X—(—N═C═N—Y) q —N═C═N—Y  (I),
   wherein:
 each X and Y independently represent a saturated or unsaturated, linear, branched or cyclic, aromatic or nonaromatic, optionally substituted hydrocarbon-based radical comprising from 6 to 60 carbon atoms; and 
 q is 0 or an integer ranging from 1 to 100. 
   
     
     
         18 . The lubricant of  claim 17 , wherein:
 X and Y each comprise from 9 to 15 carbon atoms; and   q is an integer ranging from 1 to 40.   
     
     
         19 . The lubricant of  claim 16 , wherein the carbodiimide additive is a mono-carbodiimide represented by formula (I′):
   X—N═C═N—Y  (I′),
 
 wherein X and Y are independently represented by formula (i): 
 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein:
 * represents the site of bonding to a nitrogen atom of the carbodiimide function; 
 R 1  represents a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, linear, branched or cyclic aliphatic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group; 
 R 2  represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, linear, branched or cyclic aliphatic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group; and 
 R 3  represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, linear, branched or cyclic aliphatic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group. 
 
       
     
     
         20 . The lubricant of  claim 19 , wherein R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  each comprise from 2 to 20 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         21 . The lubricant of  claim 16 , wherein X and Y are independently represented by formula (i′): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein:
 R 1  and R 2  independently represent C 3  to C 20  branched alkyl groups; and 
 R 3  represents a hydrogen atom or a C 3  to C 20  branched alkyl group. 
 
       
     
     
         22 . The lubricant of  claim 21 , wherein:
 R 1  and R 2  independently represent C 3  to C 6  isopropyl groups; and   R 3  represents a hydrogen atom.   
     
     
         23 . The lubricant of  claim 16 , wherein the carbodiimide additive is chosen from N,N′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)carbodiimide, N,N′-bis(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)carbodiimide or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The lubricant of  claim 16 , wherein the carbodiimide additive is N, N′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)carbodiimide. 
     
     
         25 . The lubricant of  claim 16 , wherein the basic organic additive has a base number (BN) ranging from greater than 10 mg KOH/g to 1200 mg KOH/g of additive, as measured according to the standard ASTM D2896. 
     
     
         26 . The lubricant of  claim 25 , wherein the basic organic additive has a base number of greater than or equal to 100 mg KOH/g of additive. 
     
     
         27 . The lubricant of  claim 16 , wherein the basic organic additive is chosen from:
 (a) polyalkylamine additives;   (b) guanidinium, ammonium, or phosphonium-based ionic liquid additives;   (c) additives produced by reaction between i) a boron compound, ii) an amine compound, and iii) a hydroxybenzoic acid or an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal salt thereof; or   (d) mixtures thereof.   
     
     
         28 . The lubricant of  claim 16 , wherein the basic organic additive is chosen from polyalkylamines of formula (II): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein: 
         R 4  and R 5  independently represent a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group comprising from 1 to 22 carbon atoms; 
         R 6  and R 7  independently represent a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group comprising from 1 to 30 carbon atoms; 
         A1 and A2 independently represent a C 1  to C 6  alkylene groups; and 
         m is 0, 1, 2, or 3. 
       
     
     
         29 . The lubricant of  claim 28 , wherein:
 R 6  and R 7  independently represent a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group comprising from 1 to 22 carbon atoms; and   A1 and A2 independently represent —(CH 2 ) 3  propylene groups; and   m is 1 or 2.   
     
     
         30 . The lubricant of  claim 16 , wherein the basic organic additive is chosen from polyalkylamines of formula (II-a): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein:
 R 4  and R 5  independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C 1  to C 6  alkyl group; and 
 R 6  and R 7  independently represent a C 1  to C 6  alkyl group. 
 
       
     
     
         31 . The lubricant of  claim 30 , wherein R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , and R 7 , represent methyl groups. 
     
     
         32 . The lubricant of  claim 16 , wherein the basic organic additive is chosen from polyalkylamines of formula polyalkylamines of formula (II-b): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein:
 R 4  and R 5  represent hydrogen atoms; and 
 R 6  and R 7  independently represent a C 8  to C 22  alkyl group. 
 
       
     
     
         33 . The lubricant of  claim 32 , wherein R 6  and R 7  independently represent represent a C 16  to C 18  alkyl group. 
     
     
         34 . The lubricant of  claim 16 , wherein the lubricant comprises at least 0.1% by mass of the basic organic additive, relative to the total mass of the lubricant. 
     
     
         35 . The lubricant of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the lubricant comprises from 1% to 5% by mass of the basic organic additive, relative to the total mass of the lubricant; and   the lubricant composition further comprises at least one additional additive chosen from metallic detergent additives, friction-modifying additives, anti-wear additives, extreme-pressure additives, antioxidants, viscosity index improvers, pour point depressants, dispersants, antifoams, thickeners, corrosion inhibitors, copper passivators, or mixtures thereof.