U.S. patent application number 11/150333 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-10 for novel lubricant blend composition.
Invention is credited to Lawrence, Kyle D., Spissell, Richard T., Stanat, Jon Edmond Randolph, Wu, Margaret May-Som.
Application Number | 20050250657 11/150333 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27807971 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050250657 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wu, Margaret May-Som ; et
al. |
November 10, 2005 |
Novel lubricant blend composition
Abstract
A fluid blend suitable for use as a lube basestock comprises two
major components: (A) a copolymer made from ethylene with one or
more alpha olefins, the copolymer (i) containing not more than 50
wt % ethylene; (ii) having a number average molecular weight of
from 400 to 10,000; and (iii) a molecular weight distribution
<3; and (B) a polyalphaolefin fluid or a hydroprocessed oil
having a VI greater than 80.
Inventors: |
Wu, Margaret May-Som;
(Skillman, NJ) ; Stanat, Jon Edmond Randolph;
(Baton Rouge, LA) ; Lawrence, Kyle D.; (Houston,
TX) ; Spissell, Richard T.; (National Park,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
P.O. BOX 900
1545 ROUTE 22 EAST
ANNANDALE
NJ
08801-0900
US
|
Family ID: |
27807971 |
Appl. No.: |
11/150333 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11150333 |
Jun 10, 2005 |
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10367245 |
Feb 14, 2003 |
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60362584 |
Mar 5, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
508/591 ; 208/18;
208/19; 508/465; 508/579; 585/1; 585/12; 585/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C10M 2205/02 20130101;
C10M 2209/103 20130101; C10M 2207/283 20130101; C10N 2060/02
20130101; C10M 2205/024 20130101; C10M 2205/10 20130101; C10M
2205/17 20130101; C10M 2205/028 20130101; C10M 2205/0206 20130101;
C10M 2203/06 20130101; C10M 2205/0225 20130101; C10M 111/04
20130101; C10N 2020/02 20130101; C10M 2205/022 20130101; C10N
2020/011 20200501; C10M 2205/103 20130101; C10M 2205/173 20130101;
C10N 2070/00 20130101; C10M 2205/026 20130101; C10M 2205/0245
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
508/591 ;
508/465; 508/579; 585/001; 585/012; 585/013; 208/018; 208/019 |
International
Class: |
C10M 017/02; C10M
111/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fluid blend comprising: (a) a copolymer of ethylene with one
or more alpha olefins, containing not more than 50 wt % ethylene,
the copolymer having a number molecular weight from 400 to 10,000
and having a molecular weight distribution <3; and (b) a
polyalphaolefin fluid or a hydroprocessed oil having a VI greater
than 80.
2. The blend of claim 1 wherein the alpha olefin is a C.sub.3 to
C.sub.20 olefin.
3. The blend of claim 2 wherein the fluid or oil is selected from
Group II and Group III oils, Fischer-Tropsch wax isomerates, and
Group VI synthetic polyalphaolefin fluids.
4. The blend of claim 3 wherein the amount of copolymer in the
blend ranges from about 1 to about 95 wt %.
5. The blend of claim 4 wherein the hydroprocessed oil is a Group
III oil.
6. The blend of claim 4 wherein the hydroprocessed oil is a Group
II oil.
7. A lubricant base stock comprising a blend of: (a) from 1 to 95
wt %, based on the blend, of an ethylene alpha olefin copolymer of
ethylene with one or more alpha olefins containing not more than 50
wt % ethylene, the copolymer having a number average molecular
weight from 400 to 10,000 and having a molecular weight
distribution <3; and (b) from 5 to 99 wt %, based on the blend,
of a polyalphaolefin fluid or a hydroprocessed oil having a VI
greater than 80 and selected from Group II and Group III oils,
Fischer-Tropsch wax isomerates and Group VI synthetic polyalpha
olefins.
8. The base stock of claim 7 wherein the olefin is a C.sub.3 to
C.sub.20 olefin.
9. The base stock of claim 8 wherein the hydroprocessed oil is a
Group II oil.
10. The base stock of claim 8 wherein the hydroprocessed oil is a
Group III oil.
11. A lubricant which is prepared from: (i) a lubricant base stock
comprising a blend of: (a) a copolymer of ethylene with one or more
alpha olefins containing not more than 50 wt % ethylene, the
copolymer having a number average molecular weight from 400 to
10,000 and a molecular weight distribution <3; and (b) a
polyalphaolefin fluid or a hydroprocessed oil having a VI greater
than 80; and (ii) a lubricant additive package.
12. The lubricant of claim 11 wherein the olefin is a C.sub.3 to
C20 olefin.
13. The lubricant of claim 12 wherein the hydroprocessed oil is a
Group II oil.
14. The lubricant of claim 12 wherein the hydroprocessed oil is a
Group III oil.
15. The lubricant of claims 13 or 14 in which the additive package
comprises additives selected from the group consisting of viscosity
index improvers, corrosion inhibitors, dispersants, oxidation
inhibitors, detergents, rust inhibitors, antiwear agents,
anti-foaming agents, flow improvers, friction modifiers, and seal
swellants.
16. A lubricant of claim 11 including a polar co-basestock selected
from the group consisting of polyesters, alkylated aromatics and
polyalkylene glycols.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to lubricant fluid blends
especially suitable as base stocks for lubricant compositions. More
particularly the inventive relates to lubricant fluid blends based
on hydroprocessed oils and copolymers made from ethylene with one
or more alpha-olefins.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Most lubricant base stocks, including most of API Group I to
Group IV fluids, have viscosities at 100.degree. C. in the range of
about 4 to about 6 cS. When these base stocks are used to formulate
different viscosity grade lubricants it is necessary to blend them
with high viscosity base stocks. Currently, the readily available
high viscosity base stocks include bright stock, high viscosity
polyalphaolefin (PAOs) and polyisobutylene (PIB).
[0003] Bright stock and PIB have poor viscosity indicies (VIs) and
poor low temperature properties and hence their potential to
improve blend properties is limited. This is especially true when
blended with low viscosity hydro-processed Group II, Group III
fluids or isomerate lubes derived from Fischer-Tropsch wax, which
usually have VIs close to or greater than 100. Experience has shown
that when Group II, Group III or Fischer-Tropsch wax isomerate
fluids are blended with polyisobutylene (PIB) or bright stock, on
many occasions, the resulting blends have even lower VIs than the
starting Group II or Group III fluids.
[0004] High viscosity PAOs have excellent viscometrics and low
temperature properties; however, they are more expensive than PIB
or bright stock. Moreover, the availability of PAOs is limited to
some extent due to the limited supply of the linear alpha olefins,
such as 1-decene, used in preparing them.
[0005] There is a need, therefore, for fluid lubricant base stocks
having good viscometrics, low temperature properties and shear
stability that can be made from readily available material.
[0006] Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to
provide a blend of lubricant fluids having improved viscometrics
when compared to blends containing PIB, bright stock or PAOs.
[0007] Another object is to provide lubricant fluid blends having
improved shear stability when compared to blends containing PIB,
bright stock or PAOs.
[0008] Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon
reading the specification which follows:
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0009] Simply stated, the present invention is directed toward a
fluid blend suitable for use as a lube basestock comprising two
major components: (A) a polymer made from ethylene with one or more
alpha-olefins and containing not more than 50 wt % ethylene, the
copolymer having a number average molecular weight from up 400 to
10,000 and having a molecular weight distribution (MWD)<3 and
(B) a polyalpha olefin or hydroprocessed oil having a VI greater
than 80.
[0010] In another embodiment a lubricating composition is provided
comprising the fluid blend and a lubricant additive package.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] FIGS. 1 to 4 graphically compare the viscosity of lubricant
base stock blends prepared from the copolymers of the invention
with viscosities of blends employing polyisobutylene or bright
stock.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0012] One major component, component A, in the fluid blend of the
present invention is a copolymer made from ethylene with one or
more alpha-olefins. Consequently, as used herein, the term
copolymer encompass polymers containing 2, 3 or more different
monomer moieties. The copolymers in the blend of the invention have
a number average molecular weight of from 400 to 10,000 and a MWD
<3. Importantly, the copolymer contains not more than 50 wt %
ethylene. The alpha-olefin moiety of the copolymer will be derived
from at least one or more C.sub.3, C.sub.4 or higher alpha
olefins.
[0013] Accordingly, suitable alpha-olefinic monomers include those
represented by the formula H.sub.2C.dbd.CHR.sub.1 wherein R.sub.1
is a straight or branched chain alkyl radical comprising 1 to 18
carbon atoms and preferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms. When R.sub.1 is a
branched chain, the branch is preferred to be at least two carbons
away from the double bond.
[0014] The copolymers are prepared by copolymerizing a feed
containing ethylene and one or more alpha olefins in the weight
ratio of 60:40 to about 5:95 in the presence of a metallocene
catalyst system.
[0015] Metallocene catalyst systems are well known in the art and
mention is made of U.S. Pat. No. 5,859,159, incorporated herein by
reference, for a description of metallocene catalysts systems
useful for producing the polymers from ethylene and one or more
alpha-olefins suitable for the lubricant fluid blends of the
present invention.
[0016] The polymer is produced by polymerizing a reaction mixture
of ethylene and at least one additional alpha-olefin monomer in the
presence of a metallocene catalyst system, preferably in solution.
Optionally, hydrogen may be added to regulate the degree of
polymerization or molecular weight, and to reduce the amount of
unsaturation in the product. In such situations the amount of
hydrogen typically will be 0.1 mole % to 50 mole % based on the
amount of ethylene.
[0017] Any known solvent effective for such polymerization can be
used. For example, suitable solvents include hydrocarbon solvent
such as aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. The
preferred solvents are propane, isobutane, pentane, isopentane,
hexane, isohexane, heptane, isoheptane, Norpar, Isopar, benzene,
toluene, xylene, alkylaromatic-containing solvents, or mixture of
these solvents.
[0018] The polymerization reaction may be carried out in a
continuous manner, such as in a continuous flow stirred tank
reactor where feed is continuously introduced into the reactors and
product removed therefrom. Alternatively, the polymerization may be
conducted in a batch reactor, prefer-ably equipped with adequate
agitation, to which the catalyst, solvent, and monomers are added
to the reaction and left to polymerize therein for a time
sufficient to produce the desired product.
[0019] Typical polymerization temperature for producing the
copolymers useful herein are in the range of about 0.degree. C. to
about 300.degree. C. and preferably 25.degree. C. to 250.degree. C.
at pressures of about 15 to 1500 psig, and preferably 50 to 1000
psig.
[0020] The conditions under which the polymerization is conducted
will determine the degree of unsaturation in the resulting
copolymer. As is known in the art, the degree of unsaturation of a
polymer can be measured by bromine number. In the present invention
it is preferred that the copolymer have a bromine number below 2
and more preferably in the range of 0 to 1.
[0021] In those instances where the product copolymer has a high
degree of unsaturation, such as when the copolymer product has a
viscosity less than about 1000 cSt at 100.degree. C., the copolymer
preferably is hydrogenated to provide a final product having a
bromine number below 2. The hydrogenation may be carried out in a
batch mode or in continuous stir tank or in a continuous fixed bed
operation, using typical hydrogenation catalysts. Examples of the
hydrogenation catalysts are nickel on kieselguhr catalyst, Raney
Nickel catalyst, many commercial hydro-treating catalyst, such as
nickel, cobalt, molybdenum or tungsten on silica, silica-alumina,
alumina, zirconium support, etc., or supported Group VIIIB metals,
such as platinum, palladium, ruthenium and rhodium. The
hydrogenation conditions may range from room temperature to
300.degree. C. with hydrogen pressure from atmospheric pressure to
2000 psi for long enough residence time to reduce most or all of
the unsaturation. The unsaturation degree can be measured by
bromine number of iodine index. Preferably the bromine number of
the finished product should be below 2. The lower the bromine
number the better the oxidative stability. More preferably, the
reaction temperature, pressure, residence time, catalyst loading
all will be adjusted to achieve 0-1 bromine number.
[0022] In instances where the polymerization conditions favor the
formation of copolymers having a very low degree of unsaturation,
hydrogenation of the copolymer is not necessary and the copolymer
can be used directly in forming the lubricant blend.
[0023] The other major component, component B, in the fluid blend
of the present invention is a polyalpha olefin or a hydroprocessed
oil having a VI greater than 80. Examples of such oils are Group II
and III oils, Fischer-Tropsch wax isomerates (as disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,090,989, U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,301 or U.S. Pat. No.
6,008,164) and Group IV synthetic polyalpha olefin fluids.
[0024] The amounts of ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer and
hydroprocessed oils in the blends of fluid the present invention
are not critical and will depend on the intended use of the blend.
In general the amount of ethylene .alpha.-olefin copolymer will
constitute from about 1 to about 95 wt % of the blend. Generally,
it is prefer to be from 5 to 80%. If too small amount of the
polymer is used, the blend will not have sufficient viscometrics.
On the other hand, if too much of the polymer is used, it maybe
more costly or the blend viscosity may be too high for practical
use.
[0025] The fluid blends of the present invention can be combined
with selected lubricant additives to provide lubricant
compositions.
[0026] The additives listed below are typically used in such
amounts so as to provide their normal attendant functions. Typical
amounts for individual components are also set forth below.
1 Broad Wt % Preferred Wt % Viscosity Index Improver 1-12 1-4
Corrosion Inhibitor 0.01-3 0.01-1.5 Oxidation Inhibitor 0.01-5
0.01-1.5 Dispersant 0.1-10 0.1-5 Lube Oil Flow Improver 0.01-2
0.01-1.5 Detergents and Rust Inhibitors 0.01-6 0.01-3 Pour Point
Depressant 0.01-1.5 0.01-1.5 Antifoaming Agents 0.01-0.1 0.001-0.01
Antiwear Agents 0.001-5 0.001-2 Extreme Pressure Additives 0.001-5
0.001-2 Seal Swellant 0.1-8 0.1-4 Friction Modifiers 0.01-3
0.01-1.5 Fluid Blend of Invention .gtoreq.80% .gtoreq.80%
[0027] When other additives are employed, it may be desirable,
although not necessary, to prepare additive concentrates comprising
concentrated solutions or dispersions of the dispersant, together
with one or more of the other additives to form an additive
mixture, referred to herein as an additive package whereby several
additives can be added simultaneously to the base stock to form the
lubricating oil composition. Dissolution of the additive
concentrate into the lubricating oil may be facilitated by solvents
and by mixing accompanied with mild heating, but this is not
essential. The concentrate or additive-package will typically be
formulated to contain the dispersant additive and optional
additional additives in proper amounts to provide the desired
concentration in the final formulation when the additive package is
combined with a predetermined amount of the fluid blend of the
invention.
[0028] All of the weight percents expressed herein (unless
otherwise indicated) are based on active ingredient (A.I.) content
of the additive, and/or upon the total weight of any
additive-package, or formulation which will be the sum of the A.I.
weight of each additive plus the weight of total oil or
diluent.
[0029] The composition of the invention may also include a co-base
stock to enhance lubricant performance or to improve additive
solubility in the basestock. Typically co-basestocks are selected
from polar fluids useful as lubricants.
[0030] Examples of these fluids include many types of esters,
alkyl-aromatics, and oil-soluble polyalkylene glycols. Typical
esters used in lubricant formulations include polyol esters,
adipate esters, sibacate esters, phthalate esters, sterates, etc.
Typical alkylaromatics used in lube formulation include alkylated
naphthalenes, alkylbenzenes, alkyltoluenes, detergent alkylate
bottoms, etc. Typical oil-soluble polyalkylene glycols include
poly-propylene oxides, poly-butylene oxides, etc. Such fluids may
be used in amounts of about 1 wt % to about 60 wt % although
amounts of about 1 wt % to about 10 wt % are preferred.
[0031] The present invention is further illustrated by the examples
which follow.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0032] 1-butene was charged at 100 ml/hour and ethylene was charged
at 16 gram/hour to a 600 ml autoclave containing a catalyst
solution of 20 mg zirconocene dichloride, 0.4 gram
methylaluminoxane and 50 gram toluene, and cooled in an ice water
bath. The feeds were discontinued after four hours. After 12 hours
of reaction at room temperature or below, the reaction was quenched
with water and alumina. The catalyst and any solid was removed by
filtration. The viscous liquid product was isolated in 90% yield by
distillation at 140.degree. C./0.1 millitorr for 2 hours to remove
any light end. This liquid product was further hydrogenated at
200.degree. C., 1000 psi H.sub.2 pressure using 2 wt % nickel on
Kieselguhr catalyst for 4 hours. The hydrogenated copolymer product
had the following properties: 100.degree. C. Kv=45.8 cS, 40.degree.
C. Kv=548.0 cS, VI=136, pour point=-36.degree. C. This polymer
contains 28.6 wt % ethylene as measured by C13-NMR.
Example 2
[0033] Similar to Example 1, except ethylene was added at 20 grams
per hour. The distilled liquid yield=92%. The hydrogenated product
had the following properties: 100.degree. C. Kv=161.3 cS,
40.degree. C. Kv=2072.8 cS, VI=190, pour point=-25.degree. C. This
polymer contains 38.7 wt % ethylene as measured by C13-NMR. The Mn
of this polymer is 2280 and MWD is 2.66.
Example 3
[0034] This polymer was prepared in a continuous mode of operation.
In this reaction, polymer grade ethylene, polymer grade 1-butene
and polymer grade iso-butane solvent were charged into a 200 gallon
reactor after purification through molecular sieve and treatment by
injecting 50 ppm tri-t-butylaluminum. The feed rates for ethylene,
1-butene and iso-butane were 12, 120 and 180 lb/hour, respectively.
A catalyst solution, containing 5.times.10 g-mole/liter of
dimethylsilylbis (4,5,6,7 tetrahydro-indenyl) zirconium dichloride
and methylaluminoxane of 1/400 Zr/Al molar ratio in toluene, was
charged into the reactor at 13.5 ml/minute. The reactor temperature
was maintained 89.4.degree. C. and 95.6.degree. C., pressure
237-261 psi and average residence time 2 hours. The crude reaction
product was withdrawn form the reactor continuously and washed with
0.4 wt % sodium hydroxide solution followed with a water wash. A
viscous liquid product was obtained by devolitalization to remove
iso-butane solvent, light stripping at 66.degree. C./5 psig
followed by deep stripping at 140.degree. C./1 millitorr. The
residual viscous liquid was then hydro-finished at 200.degree. C.,
800-1200 psi H.sub.2 pressure with 2 wt % Ni-on-Kieselguhr catalyst
for eight hours. The hydrogenated product contains 34 wt % ethylene
content and had the following properties: 100.degree. C. Kv=114.0
cS, 40.degree. C. Kv=1946.5 cS, VI=145 and pour point =-24.degree.
C. This polymer has Mn of 2374 and MWD of 1.88.
Example 4
[0035] This polymer was prepared in a similar manner as in Example
3, except that the feed rates for ethylene, 1-butene and isobutane
were 58, 120 and 283 lb/hour, and the reaction temperature was
between 98.3.degree. C. and 101.1.degree. C., pressure 290-300 psi
and average residence time 1 hour. After hydrofinishing, the lube
base stock contained 44 wt % ethylene and had the following
properties: 100.degree. C. Kv=149.9 cS, 40.degree. C. Kv=2418.4 cS,
VI=164 and pour point =-24.degree. C. This polymer has Mn of 2660
and MWD of 1.76.
Example 5
[0036] This polymer was prepared in a similar manner as in Example
3, except that the feed contained 40 wt % 1-butene, 11 wt %
ethylene and 49 wt % isobutane, the reaction temperature was
71.degree. C., and average residence time 1 hour. After
hydrofinishing, the hydrogenated product contained 19 wt % ethylene
and had the following properties: 100.degree. C. Kv=1894 cS,
40.degree. C. Kv=42608 cS, VI=278 and pour point =-1.degree. C.
This polymer has Mn of 5491 and MWD of 2.80.
Example 6
[0037] This polymer was prepared in a similar manner as in Example
3, except that the feed contained 40 wt % 1-butene, 35 wt %
ethylene and 25 wt % isobutane, the reaction temperature was
93.3.degree. C., and average residence time approximately 1 hour.
After hydrofinishing, the lube base stock contained 44.5 wt %
ethylene and had the following properties: 100.degree. C. Kv=1493
cS, 40.degree. C. Kv =49073 cS, VI=230 and pour point=5.degree. C.
This polymer has Mn of 5664 and MWD of 2.76.
Example 7
[0038] A series of blends were prepared using copolymers of the
invention and a hydroprocessed Group III or a Group II base stock.
For comparative purposes additional blends of the Group III and
Group II basestocks were prepared using the blending fluids shown
in Table 1.
2 TABLE 1 100.degree. C. 40.degree. C. Pour Point, Blending Fluid
Kv, cS Kv, cS VI .degree. C. PIB H50.sup.{circle over (1)} 117 3442
104 -15 PIB H300.sup.{circle over (1)} 663 25099 117 2 Bright Stock
32 474 96 -7 100 cS PAO.sup.{circle over (2)} 100 1250 170 -23
.sup.{circle over (1)}PIB H50 and H300 are trade names for
polyisobutylene sold by BP Chemical Co. BP North America
(chemicals), 150 W Warrenville Rd., N-3, Naperville, IL 60563 USA.
.sup.{circle over (2)}The 100 cS PAO is available from ExxonMobil
Chemical Co at Edison, NJ.
[0039] The properties of the blends made from the Group III
basestocks with the copolymers of Example 3, PIB H5O and bright
stock were determined and are shown in Table 2.
3TABLE 2 Blend Blending Wt % Blending 100.degree. C. 40.degree. C.
Thickening Number Stock Fluid Fluid in Group III Kv, cS Kv, cS VI
Efficiency Group III -- 0.0 3.98 16.70 140 -- 1 Example 3 9.1 5.51
25.28 164 94 2 Example 3 25.0 9.41 51.78 167 140 3 Example 3 50.0
20.92 155.74 158 278 4 PIB H50 9.1 4.80 21.80 148 56 5 PIB H50 25.0
6.73 36.63 143 80 6 PIB H50 50.0 13.06 105.03 120 177 7 Bright
Stock 9.1 4.50 20.49 136 42 8 Bright Stock 25.0 5.79 30.18 138 54 9
Bright Stock 50.0 9.28 62.29 128 91
[0040] Although the Example 3 polymer and PIB H5O both have the
similar 100.degree. C. viscosities, the blends from Example 3 have
higher 100.degree. C. and 40.degree. C. viscosities than PIB at
same weight percent (FIGS. 1 and 2). The thickening efficiency for
Example 3 is also higher than PIB. These data demonstrated that the
Example 3 sample have better viscosity boosting effect than PIB of
comparable viscosity. Furthermore, the lube base fluids made from
Example 3 and Group III base stocks have higher VI at similar
100.degree. C. viscosity, as shown in FIG. 3. Similar trends were
observed when compared to the blends with bright stock.
[0041] The properties of blends made from the Group III base stock
with the copolymer of Example 2, Example 4 and PIB H300 were
determined and are shown in Table 3.
4TABLE 3 Blend Blending Wt % Blending 100.degree. C. 40.degree. C.
Thickening Number Stock Fluid Fluid in Group III Kv, cS Kv, cS VI
Efficiency Group III -- 0.0 3.98 16.70 140 -- 10 Example 2 9.1 6.01
27.82 171 122 11 Example 2 25.0 11.58 63.62 179 188 12 Example 2
50.0 29.27 203.81 184 374 13 Example 4 9.1 5.74 26.51 167 108 14
Example 4 25.0 10.36 56.49 175 159 15 Example 4 50.0 24.21 165.04
179 297 16 PIB H50 9.1 5.34 24.99 155 91 17 PIB H50 25.0 9.50 55.80
154 156 18 PIB H50 50.0 26.39 258.11 133 483
[0042] Although Examples 2 and 4 fluids both have much lower
100.degree. C. viscosities than PIB H300 (161 cS and 150 cS vs. 663
cS), the blends from Example 2 and 4 fluids have higher viscosities
than those from PIB H300. At the same weight percent of blend
stock, the thickening efficiencies of Example 2 and 4 fluids are
higher than PIB H300. These data demonstrate that Example 2 and 4
fluids have better viscosity-boosting effect than PIB. Also, the VI
of the blends from Example 3 and 5 fluids are higher than those
from PIB H300 (FIG. 4).
[0043] The properties of blends prepared form the Group III base
stock with the Example 5 and 6 fluids were determined and are shown
in Table 4.
5TABLE 4 Blend Blending Stock Wt % Blending 100.degree. C.
40.degree. C. Thickening Number Fluid Fluid in Group III Kv, cS Kv,
cS VI Efficiency Group III -- -- 3.98 16.70 140 -- 19 Example 5 2.0
4.71 20.45 157 204 20 Example 5 5.0 6.15 28.20 176 237 21 Example 5
1.0 9.42 46.38 192 300 22 Example 6 2.0 4.61 19.84 156 174 23
Example 6 5.0 5.75 26.15 171 196 24 Example 6 1.0 8.27 40.81 183
244
[0044] As can be seen the blends have a VI that is higher than the
Group III base stock alone.
[0045] Blends were prepared from a Group II basestock with the
Example 3 and 4 fluids and with PIB H50. The details and properties
of the blends are given in Table 5.
6TABLE 5 Blend Blending 100.degree. C. Kv, 40.degree. C. Kv, Number
Fluid Wt % cS cS VI 25 PIB H50 9.1 10.62 90.96 99 26 PIB H50 25.0
14.65 147.06 98 27 PIB H50 50.0 24.93 342.48 94 28 Example 3 9.1
12.01 101.03 109 29 Example 3 25.0 18.93 179.30 119 30 Example 3
50.0 36.01 415.09 129 31 Example 4 9.1 12.51 97.88 122 32 Example 4
25.0 20.41 188.71 126 33 Example 4 50.0 40.25 413.78 147
[0046] As can be seen, the blends from Example 2 and 3 fluids had
higher viscosities and VIs then blends with PIB.
Example 8
[0047] A series of blends of ISO 32 viscosity grade were prepared
from the Group III base stock, Example 3 and 4 fluids, PIB PAO and
bright stock. The blend viscosities, thickening efficiency and
shear stability (ASTM Test D 5621) were determined and are shown in
Table 6.
7TABLE 6 Blend Blending 100.degree. C. Kv, 40.degree. C. Kv, Shear
% Shear Thickening Number Fluid Wt % cS cS VI Viscosity Loss
Efficiency 34 Example 3 14.4 6.465 31.67 163 31.66 0.0% 105 35
Example 4 13.5 6.839 32.83 174 32.78 0.2% 121 36 Example 3 33 9.41
51.78 167 51.60 0.3% 107 37 PIB H300 13.1 6.104 29.77 159 29.22
1.8% 101 38 Example 2 9 6.01 27.82 171 27.45 1.3 125
[0048] As can be seen, the blending fluids of this invention
(Blends 34 to 36) have comparable thickening efficiency as the best
comparative example (Blend 38). At this comparable thickening
efficiency, the copolymer blend of the invention (Blend 34 to 36)
has better shear stability than that of the PIB blend 37.
[0049] Similarly, a blend (blend no 38) is prepared using the
Example 2 fluid, which has a much broader MWD (2.66) than the
Example 3 and 4 polymers. The polymer again has excellent
thickening efficiency (Table 6), better than PIB H300. However,
this polymer still has better shear stability than PIB when tested
in the D5621 method.
[0050] Data in Table 6 further demonstrated that the blends
containing polymers from ethylene-alpha-olefins with narrower
molecular weight distribution have better shear stability. Blends
34 to 36 were prepared using polymers with MWD of 1.75 to 2.01.
They have slightly better shear stability (0.2% viscosity loss)
than the blend prepared by using polymer with MWD of 2.66 (blend 38
with 1.3% viscosity loss). Therefore, we conclude that blends
containing polymer made from ethylene and alpha-olefins with
narrower MWD are more desirable than blends made from ethylene and
alpha-olefins with broader MWD.
[0051] Table 7 compares the shear stability of the blends made with
Example 5 and Example 6 (blend 39 and 40) versus a blend made with
commercial sample, Viscoplex 8-219 (available from RohMax USA, Inc)
of comparable thickening efficiency in a Group III base stock. As
the data showed that blends 39 and 40 have much better shear
stability with only 1.3 and 1.6% viscosity loss as compared to the
comparative blend 41 with 6% viscosity loss.
8TABLE 7 Shear Stability Comparison of Example 5 and 6 Polymers
with Comparative Blends Blend Blending 100.degree. C. Kv,
40.degree. C. Kv, Shear % Shear Thickening No. Fluid Wt % cS cS
Viscosity Loss Efficiency 39 Example 5 6.8 6.68 30.91 30.42 1.6 211
40 Example 6 6.3 6.99 32.22 31.81 1.3 249 41 Viscoplex 6 6.36 32.68
30.69 6.1 167 8-219 (b)
Example 9
[0052] In another set of experiments, ethylene alpha-olefins
copolymers were prepared similar to Example 3 except using
different amounts of ethylene in the feed. The polymers when
blended with Group III base stocks are clear and bright and have
excellent viscometrics as shown in Table 8. These example
demonstrated that even with high ethylene content (44 wt %) and MWD
of 2.3, 15 blends of excellent properties can be obtained.
9TABLE 8 Blend Properties of Group III base stocks with ethylene
alpha-olefins of high ethylene contents Wt % C.sub.2H.sub.4 Wt % in
in blend Mn by Group III 100.degree. C. vis, 40.degree. C. vis,
stock GPC MWD base stock cS cS VI Appearance 40.6 6667 2.23 5 7.59
36.35 184 clear 44.0 5050 2.3 5 6.59 32.73 181 clear
Comparative Example
[0053] Following the procedure of Example 3, except using higher
ethylene feed rate, a copolymer sample containing 50.8 wt %
ethylene was prepared. This polymer has Mn of 2386, which is
comparable to example 3. However, it has broader MWD of 2.81,
instead of 1.88 as the Example 3 polymer.
[0054] This polymer with high ethylene content and broad MWD was
found to be not as good as that of Examples 1 to 7. When blended
with same Group III base stock used in the blend of the examples,
the resulting blend was very cloudy and the blend would not be used
as high performance base stock. Furthermore, when 20% of this
comparative polymer was blended with Group III base stock, the
blend had only 124 VI, whereas a similar blend with Example 3
polymer has VI of 167 or 158, as shown in Table 8.
10TABLE 9 Comparison of blend properties Blending Wt % Blending
100.degree. C. 40.degree. C. Blend Stock Fluid in Group Kv, Kv,
Number Fluid III cS cS VI Group III -- 0.0 3.98 16.70 140 2 Example
3 25.0 9.41 51.78 167 3 Example 3 50.0 20.92 155.74 158 Comparative
Comparative 20 18.07 150.14 124 blend polymer
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