LUBRICANT ADDITIVE
A lubricant formulation. The lubricant formulation includes a polyol-based base lubricant, an ionic liquid, and an organic nanoparticle. The ionic liquid is selected from the group consisting of trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate, trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium bis-2,4,4-(trimethylpentyl)phosphinate, and trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, or a combination thereof. The organic nanoparticle has a median particle size less than about 200 nm. The organic nanoparticle forms about 0.01 to about 5% by weight of the lubricant formulation. The ionic liquid forms about 0.5 to about 10% by weight of the lubricant formulation.
1 . A method of lubricating at least two metallic tribo-contact surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:
applying a base lubricant between the metallic tribo-contact surfaces; and
after applying the base lubricant between the metallic tribo-contact surfaces, adding an additive to the base lubricant, the additive comprising organic nanoparticles dispersed in an ionic liquid.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ionic liquid is halogen-free.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the ionic liquid is a phosphonium-based ionic liquid.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the ionic liquid is selected from the group consisting of trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate, trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium bis-2,4,4-(trimethylpentyl)phosphinate, and trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, and combinations thereof.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the organic nanoparticle is graphene or other submicron particle of carbon.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the organic nanoparticle has a median particle size less than about 200 nm.
7 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the base lubricant is a polyol-based lubricant.
8 . A method of lubricating an aircraft to extend the duration of safe flight during a loss of lubrication event, the method comprising the steps of:
adding organic nanoparticles dispersed in an ionic liquid to an aircraft lubrication system.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the organic nanoparticles and the ionic liquid are added to the aircraft lubrication system as a base lubricant additive.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the ionic liquid is halogen-free.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the ionic liquid is a phosphonium-based ionic liquid.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the organic nanoparticle is graphene or other submicron particle of carbon.
13 . A lubrication system comprising:
a first metallic surface;
a second metallic surface; and
a protective tribocoating formed between the first and second metallic surfaces, the protective tribocoating comprising a polyol-based lubricant, an ionic liquid, and organic nanoparticles.
14 . The lubrication system of claim 13 , wherein the ionic liquid is halogen-free.
15 . The lubrication system of claim 13 , wherein ionic liquid is a phosphonium-based ionic liquid.
16 . The lubrication system of claim 13 , wherein the organic nanoparticle is graphene or other submicron particle of carbon.