Estolide compositions exhibiting superior high-performance properties

Abstract

Compounds and compositions, including engine oils and lubricant formulations comprising at least one estolide compound. Exemplary compositions comprise an estolide base oil and an additive package.

1 - 117 . (canceled) 
     
     
         118 . A composition comprising:
 (i) about 25% to about 60% by weight of an estolide base oil having a kinematic viscosity from about 2 to about 9 cSt at 100° C., said estolide base oil comprising at least one estolide compound selected from compounds of Formula I:   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           wherein
 x is, independently for each occurrence, an integer selected from 1 to 10; 
 y is, independently for each occurrence, an integer selected from 1 to 10; 
 n is an integer selected from 0, 1, and 2; 
 R 1  is an unsubstituted C 1  to C 22  alkyl that is saturated and branched or unbranched; and 
 R 2  is an unsubstituted C 1  to C 22  alkyl that is saturated and branched or unbranched,
 wherein x+y is, independently for each fatty acid chain residue, an integer selected from 13 to 15, and wherein each fatty acid chain residue is unsubstituted; 
 
 
         
         (ii) about 30% to about 65% by weight of a non-estolide base oil selected from at least one of a synthetic hydrocarbon oil or a semi-synthetic hydrocarbon oil; 
         (iii) at least one metal salt detergent inhibitor; and 
         (iv) at least one antioxidant,
 wherein the composition exhibits a wear rating of 60 μm or less, and a viscosity increase of 150% or less at 40° C., when tested according to ASTM Method 7320, 
 wherein the estolide base oil has an iodine value of less than 10 cg/g, 
 and wherein the composition has a bio-based content of at least 25% by weight when tested according to ASTM Method D6866. 
 
       
     
     
         119 . The composition according to  claim 118 , comprising
 30 to 40% by weight of the estolide base oil;   5 to 15% by weight of the at least one metal salt detergent inhibitor;   at least 0.1% by weight of the at least one antioxidant; and   at least 1% by weight of at least one viscosity modifier; and   40 to 55% by weight of the at least one non-estolide base oil.   
     
     
         120 . The composition according to  claim 118 , wherein the bio-based content of at least 25% by weight of the composition is derived from the estolide base oil. 
     
     
         121 . The composition according to  claim 118 , wherein the composition exhibits a weighted piston deposit rating of at least 7 when tested according to ASTM Method 7320. 
     
     
         122 . The composition of  claim 118 , further comprising at least one viscosity modifier. 
     
     
         123 . The composition of  claim 122 , wherein the at least one viscosity modifier comprises at least 1% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         124 . The composition of  claim 123 , wherein the at least one viscosity modifier comprises a styrene-type polymer. 
     
     
         125 . The composition of  claim 124 , wherein the at least one viscosity modifier comprises a styrene-diene type polymer. 
     
     
         126 . The composition of  claim 124 , wherein the at least one viscosity modifier comprises about 2% to about 5% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         127 . The composition of  claim 118 , wherein the at least one metal salt detergent inhibitor comprises a metal sulfonate. 
     
     
         128 . The composition of  claim 127 , wherein the at least one metal salt detergent inhibitor comprises a calcium sulfonate. 
     
     
         129 . The composition of  claim 118 , wherein the non-estolide base oil is a semi-synthetic oil. 
     
     
         130 . The composition of  claim 129 , wherein the semi-synthetic oil is a Group III base oil. 
     
     
         131 . The composition of  claim 118 , wherein the estolide base oil has an iodine value of less than 5 cg/g. 
     
     
         132 . The composition of  claim 126 , wherein the estolide base oil comprises about 35% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         133 . The composition of  claim 118 , wherein the composition exhibits a wear rating of 0 to 30 μm or less when tested according to ASTM Method 7320. 
     
     
         134 . The composition of  claim 124 , wherein the estolide base oil has a kinematic viscosity from about 4 to about 9 cSt at 100° C. 
     
     
         135 . The composition of  claim 134 , wherein the non-estolide base oil comprises a polyalphaolefin. 
     
     
         136 . The composition of  claim 134 , wherein the antioxidant comprises about 0.01% to about 3% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         137 . The composition of  claim 136 , wherein the at least one viscosity modifier comprises about 2% to about 5% by weight of the composition.