Friction-induced in-situ formation of organo-fluorides

Abstract

A method for forming in-situ a fluorinated organic compound or polymer film from the friction-induced reaction of an organic material, such as zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), and a fluoridated material, such as iron fluoride (FeF 3 ) on or in proximity to a wear surface substrate. Also disclosed is a method for producing a lubricated wear surface by frictionally reacting an organic material and a fluoridated material near a wear surface, where the reaction product is a fluorinated organic compound bonded to the wear surface.

1 . A method for providing lubrication and wear protection to a wear surface comprising: 
 providing a fluorinated material and an organic material proximal to a wear surface; and    forming an fluorinated organic compound in contact with the wear surface by friction-induced reaction of the fluorinated material with the organic material.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the fluorinated material is a metal fluoride.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the wear surface is a catalyst for said step of forming a fluorinated organic compound.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the fluorinated material is selected from the group consisting of: 
 ferric fluoride (FeF 3 ), aluminum trifluoride (AlF 3 ), cryolite (Na 3 AlF 6 ), zirconium tetrafluoride (ZrF 4 ), titanium trifluoride (TiF 3 ), titanium tetrafluoride (TiF 4 ), tin fluoride (SnF 2  and SnF 4 ), transition metal fluorides, and combinations thereof.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the organic material is selected from the group consisting of: 
 zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), graphite, dialkyldithiophosphate, organic compounds with weakly bonded alkyl and aryl groups, and combinations thereof.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the wear surface is selected from the group consisting of: 
 metal, ceramic, plastic, glass, wood, mineral, and combinations thereof.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the wear surface is a substrate for said friction-induced reaction.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said fluorinated organic compound is bonded to said wear surface.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said fluorinated organic compound is a polymer film weakly bonded to said wear surface.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said fluorinated material is in particle form.  
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing a lubricant comprising: 
 adding a fluorinated material to a base oil;    adding an organic material to the base oil; and    frictionally reacting in-situ the fluorinated material and the organic material to form a fluorinated organic compound.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the fluorinated material is selected from the group consisting of: 
 ferric fluoride (FeF 3 ), aluminum trifluoride (AlF 3 ), cryolite (Na 3 AlF 6 ), zirconium tetrafluoride (ZrF 4 ), titanium trifluoride (TiF 3 ), titanium tetrafluoride (TiF 4 ), tin fluoride (SnF 2  and SnF 4 ), transition metal fluorides, and combinations thereof.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the organic material is selected from the group consisting of: 
 zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), graphite, dialkyldithiophosphate, organic compounds with weakly bonded alkyl and aryl groups, and combinations thereof.    
     
     
         14 . An engine oil produced according to the method of  claim 11 .  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the fluorinated material is a particulate.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the base oil is selected from the group consisting of: 
 mineral oil, hydrocarbon oil, grease, light oil, synthetic oil, polymer oil, and combinations thereof.    
     
     
         17 . A method for producing a lubricated wear surface comprising the steps of: 
 providing a wear surface;    providing a fluorinated material and an organic material proximal to the wear surface;    reacting the fluorinated material with the organic material by exposing the fluorinated material and organic material to wear surface friction by-products and forming a fluorinated organic compound bonded to said wear surface.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the fluorinated material is selected from the group consisting of: 
 ferric fluoride (FeF 3 ), aluminum trifluoride (AlF 3 ), cryolite (Na 3 AlF 6 ), zirconium tetrafluoride (ZrF 4 ), titanium trifluoride (TiF 3 ), titanium tetrafluoride (TiF 4 ), tin fluoride (SnF 2  and SnF 4 ), transition metal fluorides, and combinations thereof.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the organic material is selected from the group consisting of: 
 zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), graphite, dialkyldithiophosphate, organic compounds with weakly bonded alkyl and aryl groups, and combinations thereof.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the fluorinated organic compound is a polymer film weakly bonded to said wear surface.