Additive System for Lubricating Fluids

Abstract

The invention concerns an additive package for a lubricating fluid or grease containing an effective amount of a phosphorus-containing antiwear additive, the improvement comprising the absence of primary, secondary, tertiary, cyclic low molecular weight aliphatic amines with a carbon number of C30 or less.

1 .- 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method of lubricating an automotive or industrial gear or differential comprising supplying to said gear or differential an additive package for a fully formulated lubricating fluid and including in said additive package an effective amount of an acid phosphate-containing antiwear additive, wherein the additive package is substantially free of primary, secondary, tertiary, and cyclic aliphatic amines with a carbon number of C30 or less and of the corresponding acid phosphate amine salts. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said acid phosphate is selected from at least one mono and/or dihydrocarbyl ester of an acid phosphate characterized by the formula (I):
   (R 1 O)(R 2 O)P(O)OH  (1)
   
       where R 1  is a hydrocarbyl group and R 2  is selected from hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said additive package has a TBN<22. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said additive package has a TBN<20. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said additive package has a TBN<15. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said additive package has a TBN<10. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said additive package has a TBN<5. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the hydrocarbyl groups of R 1  and R 2  are independently selected from straight-chained or branched alkyl groups having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the hydrocarbyl groups of R 1  and R 2  are independently selected from straight-chained or branched alkyl groups having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the hydrocarbyl groups of R 1  and R 2  are independently selected from straight-chained or branched alkyl groups having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein at least one of R 1  and R 2  is 2-ethylhexyl. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said additive package further comprises at least one of the following ingredients:
 a. at least one sulfur-containing extreme pressure agent;   b. at least one nitrogen-containing dispersant;   c. at least one corrosion inhibitor.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said additive package comprises at least two of the ingredients (a)-(c). 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said additive package comprises ingredients (a)-(c). 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said additive package further comprises at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of borated dispersants, non-aminic rust inhibitors, defoamants, pour point depressants, antioxidants, demulsifiers, friction modifiers, seal swell agents, chromophores, deodorants, limited slip additives, detergents, VI modifiers, and tackifiers. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the gear is incorporated in a device selected from the group consisting of planetary hub reduction axles, mechanical steering and transfer gear boxes in utility vehicles, synchromesh gear boxes, power take-off gears, limited slip axles, and planetary hub reduction gear boxes.