Low viscosity lubricant compositions

Abstract

Lubricant formulations are provided having a base oil blend, the base oil blend having a first Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of between 2.5 and 3.5 cSt and a second Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of between 3.5 and 4.5 cSt, wherein the resulting base oil blend has a Noack volatility of less than 15%. The first Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil can be present in an amount up to 12 wt. % and the second Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil can be present in an amount up to 88 wt. %.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lubricating composition for use in the crankcase of an engine comprising a base oil blend and one or more additives, wherein the base oil blend comprises a Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil and wherein the lubricating composition has a first Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil, said first Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of between 2.5 and 3.5 cSt and a second Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil, said second Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of between 3.5 and 4.5 cSt, wherein the resulting base oil blend has a Noack volatility of less than 15 wt. %. 
     
     
         2 . The lubricating composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises up to 12 wt. % of the first Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil and at least 88 wt. % of the second Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil. 
     
     
         3 . The lubricating composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises between 1 and 12 wt. % of the first Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil and between 88 and 99 wt. % of the second Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil. 
     
     
         4 . The lubricating composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises between 8 and 12 wt. % of the first Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil and between 88 and 92 wt. % of the second Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil. 
     
     
         5 . The lubricating composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises between 4 and 8 wt. % of the first Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil and between 92 and 96 wt. % of the second Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil. 
     
     
         6 . The lubricating composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises between 0.5 and 4 wt. % of the first Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil and between 96 and 99.5 wt. % of the second Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil. 
     
     
         7 . The lubricating composition of  claim 1 , wherein the first Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil has a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of between 2.6 and 2.9 cSt. 
     
     
         8 . The lubricating composition of  claim 1 , wherein the second Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil has a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of between 3.7 and 4. 
     
     
         9 . The lubricating composition of  claim 1 , wherein the NOACK volatility of the lubricating composition is less than 15%. 
     
     
         10 . The lubricating composition of  claim 1 , wherein the NOACK volatility of the lubricating composition is less than 14%. 
     
     
         11 . The lubricating composition of  claim 1 , wherein the NOACK volatility of the lubricating composition is less than 13%. 
     
     
         12 . The lubricating composition of  claim 1 , wherein the NOACK volatility of the lubricating composition is less than 12%. 
     
     
         13 . The lubricating composition of  claim 1 , wherein the NOACK volatility of the lubricating composition is less than 11%. 
     
     
         14 . The lubricating composition of  claim 1  wherein the NOACK volatility of the lubricating composition is less than 10%. 
     
     
         15 . The lubricating composition of  claim 1 , the composition further comprising a lubricant additive package, said lubricant additive package comprising one or more of the additives selected from the group consisting of anti-oxidants, anti-wear additives, viscosity modifiers, detergents, dispersants and anti-foaming agents. 
     
     
         16 . A method of lubricating an engine, the method comprising the step of supplying a lubricating composition of  claim 1  to an engine.