Estolide compositions exhibiting superior high-performance properties

1. A composition comprising:

(i) about 30% to about 40% by weight of an estolide base oil having a kinematic viscosity from about 5 to about 10 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 7 and 8;

y is, independently for each occurrence, an integer selected from 7 and 8;

n is an integer selected from 0, 1, and 2;

R 1 is an optionally substituted C 1 to C 22 alkyl that is saturated and unbranched; and

R 2 is an optionally substituted C 1 to C 22 alkyl that is saturated and branched,

wherein each fatty acid chain residue is unsubstituted;

(ii) about 40% to about 55% by weight of at least one synthetic hydrocarbon oil or semi-synthetic hydrocarbon oil;

(iii) about 5% to about 15% of at least one calcium sulfonate detergent inhibitor;

(iv) at least one antioxidant; and

(v) at least 1% by weight of at least one styrene-type viscosity modifier,

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.

2. The composition according to claim 1 , comprising

30 to 40% by weight of the estolide base oil;

5 to 15% by weight of the at least one detergent inhibitor;

at least 0.1% by weight of the at least one antioxidant; and

2 to 5% by weight of at least one viscosity modifier; and

40 to 55% by weight of the at least one non-estolide base oil.

3. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the bio-based content of at least 25% by weight of the composition is derived from the estolide base oil.

4. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition exhibits a weighted piston deposit rating of at least 7 when tested according to ASTM Method 7320.

5. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one viscosity modifier comprises a styrene-diene type polymer.

6. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one detergent inhibitor comprises an overbased calcium sulfonate.

7. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-estolide base oil is a semi-synthetic oil comprising a Group III oil.

8. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the estolide base oil has an iodine value of less than 5 cg/g.

9. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the estolide base oil comprises about 35% by weight of the composition.

10. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition exhibits a wear rating of 0 to 30 μm or less when tested according to ASTM Method 7320.

11. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition exhibits a viscosity increase of 5 to 100% at 40° C. when tested according to ASTM Method 7320.

12. The composition according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one antioxidant comprises 0.1 to 2% by weight of the composition.