Vapor phase corrosion inhibition

Abstract

The disclosed technology relates to the inhibition of corrosion on electrically conductive componentry subjected to a lubricant composition, but that is not submersed in the lubricant composition, or in other words, vapor phase corrosion inhibition. The technology more particularly relates to the use of azole compounds capable of inhibiting corrosion of the electrically conductive componentry in the vapor space above a lubricant composition, and often in the liquid phase of the lubricant composition as well.

1 . A method of lubricating an automotive device having electrically conducting componentry comprising
 a. providing an automotive device comprising electrically conducting componentry, some portion of said componentry being dry,   b. delivering to the automotive device a lubricant composition comprising
 i. an oil of lubricating viscosity, 
 ii. an azole compound capable of inhibiting corrosion of the electrically conductive componentry in the vapor space above the lubricant composition comprising
 1. an N-substituted 1,2,4 triazole 
 
   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
             
               where R 1  and R 2  are C3-C22 hydrocarbon groups, either linear or branched, or two ends of a hydrocarbon chain forming a cyclic structure, or where one of R 1  or R 2  is H, or 
             
             2. an azole-acrylic adduct formed by contacting an azole compound with an acrylate ester, acrylic acid, acrylamide or combination thereof; and said adduct has at least one nitrogen-alkyl group comprising at least one acyl group, 
           
         
         c. operating the automotive device. 
       
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conducting componentry comprises electrical wires, electrical sensors, printed circuit boards, or an electric motor. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conducting componentry comprises copper or a copper alloy. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the N-substituted 1,2,4 triazole comprises N,N-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-1H-1,2,4-Triazole-1-methanamine. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lubricant composition further comprises a volatile compound corrosive to the electrically conducting componentry. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the volatile compound corrosive to the electrically conducting componentry comprises a volatile sulfur-containing compound. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the source of volatile sulfur comprises a thiol, or the reaction product of a substituted thiadiazole and a hydrogen phosphite. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the automotive device comprises a transmission. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the transmission is a dual clutch transmission. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the transmission is driven by an electric motor. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the automotive device comprises an axle. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the axle is driven by an electric motor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of any previous claim, further comprising a thiadiazole corrosion inhibitor in the absence of a phosphite. 
     
     
         17 . A lubricant composition comprising
 a. an oil of lubricating viscosity,   b. an azole compound capable of escaping the lubricant composition and inhibiting corrosion in a space above the lubricant composition comprising
 i. an N-substituted 1,2,4 triazole 
   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           where R 1  and R 2  are C3-C22 hydrocarbon groups, either linear or branched, or two ends of a hydrocarbon chain forming a cyclic structure, or where one of R 1  or R 2  is H, or 
           ii. an azole-acrylic adduct formed by contacting an azole compound with an acrylate ester, acrylic acid, acrylamide or combination thereof; and said adduct has at least one nitrogen-alkyl group comprising at least one acyl group, and 
         
         c. at least one of a Lewis acid, Bronsted acid, or Lewis base. 
       
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein the N-substituted 1,2,4 triazole comprises N,N-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-1H-1,2,4-Triazole-1-methanamine. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 14 , further comprising a volatile compound corrosive to electrically conductive componentry. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the volatile compound corrosive to electrically conductive componentry comprises a volatile sulfur-containing compound. 
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the source of volatile sulfur comprises a sulfurized olefin, a thiol, such as those formed from the reaction product of a substituted thiadiazole and a hydrogen phosphite, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of any of  claim 17 , further comprising a thiadiazole corrosion inhibitor in the absence of a phosphite.