WO1990006967A1 - Self-lubricating materials - Google Patents

Self-lubricating materials Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1990006967A1
WO1990006967A1 PCT/GB1989/001474 GB8901474W WO9006967A1 WO 1990006967 A1 WO1990006967 A1 WO 1990006967A1 GB 8901474 W GB8901474 W GB 8901474W WO 9006967 A1 WO9006967 A1 WO 9006967A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
carrier
lubricant
base material
microporous
microporous carrier
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1989/001474
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Robert William Wilson
Original Assignee
Robert William Wilson
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB888829095A external-priority patent/GB8829095D0/en
Priority claimed from GB898911557A external-priority patent/GB8911557D0/en
Application filed by Robert William Wilson filed Critical Robert William Wilson
Publication of WO1990006967A1 publication Critical patent/WO1990006967A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
    • F16C33/02—Parts of sliding-contact bearings
    • F16C33/04—Brasses; Bushes; Linings
    • F16C33/24—Brasses; Bushes; Linings with different areas of the sliding surface consisting of different materials
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J9/00—Working-up of macromolecular substances to porous or cellular articles or materials; After-treatment thereof
    • C08J9/36—After-treatment
    • C08J9/40—Impregnation
    • C08J9/42—Impregnation with macromolecular compounds
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
    • F16C33/02—Parts of sliding-contact bearings
    • F16C33/04—Brasses; Bushes; Linings
    • F16C33/06—Sliding surface mainly made of metal
    • F16C33/10—Construction relative to lubrication
    • F16C33/1025—Construction relative to lubrication with liquid, e.g. oil, as lubricant
    • F16C33/103—Construction relative to lubrication with liquid, e.g. oil, as lubricant retained in or near the bearing
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
    • F16C33/02—Parts of sliding-contact bearings
    • F16C33/04—Brasses; Bushes; Linings
    • F16C33/06—Sliding surface mainly made of metal
    • F16C33/12—Structural composition; Use of special materials or surface treatments, e.g. for rust-proofing
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
    • F16C33/02—Parts of sliding-contact bearings
    • F16C33/04—Brasses; Bushes; Linings
    • F16C33/20—Sliding surface consisting mainly of plastics
    • F16C33/201—Composition of the plastic
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J2491/00—Characterised by the use of oils, fats or waxes; Derivatives thereof

Definitions

  • This invention relates to self-lubricating materials.
  • a method of producing a self-lubricating material comprising absorbing a lubricant (such as oil or wax) into a microporous carrier, and incorporating the lubricant-bearing carrier into a base material.
  • a lubricant such as oil or wax
  • the resultant mixture is used to mould, cast or extrude a desired component directly in its finished form.
  • a method of producing a self-lubricating article such as a bearing or gear, comprising absorbing a lubricant (such as oil or wax) into a microporous carrier, mixing the carrier with a base material such as metal or plastics, and moulding, casting or extruding the bearing or gear in its finished form directly from the resultant mixture.
  • a lubricant such as oil or wax
  • the microporous carrier has a structure comprising a plurality of substantially spherical microcells distributed substantially uniformly through the structure, adjacent cells being interconnected by pores smaller in diameter than the microcells.
  • the microcells conveniently have an average diameter of between 0.5 and 100 microns.
  • the microporous carrier is a substance as defined in the claims of UK Patent No. 1576228.
  • the microporous carrier can be made of plastics material, and is preferably a polymer or copolymer of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a condensation polymer, a polyphenylene oxide or a blend thereof. More particularly, the plastics material can be polypropylene, polyethylene or a polyamide (e.g. nylon). Alternatively, the microporous carrier can be made of a metal or metal alloy, such as aluminium or aluminium alloy.
  • the microporous carrier is made of the same material as the base material .
  • the microporous carrier has a density within the approximate range of 0.9 to 0.945 gm/cc 3 , a void volume of substantially 75%, a cell size within the approximate range of 0.5 to 6.0 microns, and/or a pore size within the approximate range of 0.05 to 5.0 microns.
  • the carrier incorporating the lubricant can be mixed with the base material in solid form, with the resultant mixture then being subjected to a melting operation.
  • the carrier incorporating the lubricant can be incorporated into the base material when the latter is in a molten state.
  • a lubricant such as oil or wax is absorbed into a microporous carrier. Particles of the lubricant-bearing carrier are then mixed with granules of a base material (such as plastics), for example using one part of carrier to ten parts of base material, and the resultant mixture is employed as a raw material for e.g. a moulding, casting or extrusion process.
  • a base material such as plastics
  • the lubricant is dispersed in minute pockets throughout the finished component. Accordingly, as the surface of the component wears, fresh pockets are exposed thereby maintaining the lubricating function in an effective manner.
  • a suitable form of carrier for use in the above-described process is that described and claimed in UK patent no. 1576228 and sold by Azko Chemicals under the trade name ACCUREL. This substance is capable of absorbing approximately two-thirds of its own weight of the lubricant.
  • microporous carriers can be used according to the nature of the base material, and carriers having the following properties are preferred, respectively, where the base material is a polyamide plastics (e.g. nylon), polyethylene or polypropylene:
  • the base material is a polyamide plastics (e.g. nylon), polyethylene or polypropylene:

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
  • Lubricants (AREA)

Abstract

A self-lubricating material is produced by absorbing a lubricant (such as oil or wax) into a microporous carrier, and incorporating the lubricant-bearing carrier into a base material. The resultant mixture can then be used to mould, cast or extrude a desired article or component directly in its finished form, with no need for e.g. final machining to size. The carrier can be made of plastics, metal or metal alloy, and is preferably of the same material as the base material.

Description

Title: Self-Lubricating Materials
This invention relates to self-lubricating materials.
If it is desired to produce, for example, a bearing from oil-filled plastics, then it is presently necessary to machine the bearing to the desired dimensions from a block of pre-cast material. Heretofore, it has not been practicable to produce the component in its finished form by direct moulding, casting or extrusion of the material. This greatly increases the cost of producing such items.
It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate this problem.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of producing a self-lubricating material, comprising absorbing a lubricant (such as oil or wax) into a microporous carrier, and incorporating the lubricant-bearing carrier into a base material. Advantageously, the resultant mixture is used to mould, cast or extrude a desired component directly in its finished form. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of producing a self-lubricating article such as a bearing or gear, comprising absorbing a lubricant (such as oil or wax) into a microporous carrier, mixing the carrier with a base material such as metal or plastics, and moulding, casting or extruding the bearing or gear in its finished form directly from the resultant mixture.
Preferably, the microporous carrier has a structure comprising a plurality of substantially spherical microcells distributed substantially uniformly through the structure, adjacent cells being interconnected by pores smaller in diameter than the microcells. The microcells conveniently have an average diameter of between 0.5 and 100 microns.
Desirably, the microporous carrier is a substance as defined in the claims of UK Patent No. 1576228.
The microporous carrier can be made of plastics material, and is preferably a polymer or copolymer of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a condensation polymer, a polyphenylene oxide or a blend thereof. More particularly, the plastics material can be polypropylene, polyethylene or a polyamide (e.g. nylon). Alternatively, the microporous carrier can be made of a metal or metal alloy, such as aluminium or aluminium alloy.
Advantageously, the microporous carrier is made of the same material as the base material .
Desirably, the microporous carrier has a density within the approximate range of 0.9 to 0.945 gm/cc3, a void volume of substantially 75%, a cell size within the approximate range of 0.5 to 6.0 microns, and/or a pore size within the approximate range of 0.05 to 5.0 microns.
The carrier incorporating the lubricant can be mixed with the base material in solid form, with the resultant mixture then being subjected to a melting operation. Alternatively, the carrier incorporating the lubricant can be incorporated into the base material when the latter is in a molten state.
The invention will now be further described, by way of example only.
In order to produce a self-lubricating material, a lubricant such as oil or wax is absorbed into a microporous carrier. Particles of the lubricant-bearing carrier are then mixed with granules of a base material (such as plastics), for example using one part of carrier to ten parts of base material, and the resultant mixture is employed as a raw material for e.g. a moulding, casting or extrusion process. In this way, a high percentage of lubricant is held within the material during moulding, casting or extrusion, and minimal loss of lubricant occurs: this enables an article or component to be produced directly in its final shape and with the desired dimensions. Such direct forming of components is extremely difficult with existing forms of self-lubricating materials, particularly self-lubricating plastics, which must usually be cast and then machined to the desired dimensions. Accordingly, components can be produced quickly and relatively cheaply, with no need for a final machining operation.
Because of the microporous nature of the carrier, the lubricant is dispersed in minute pockets throughout the finished component. Accordingly, as the surface of the component wears, fresh pockets are exposed thereby maintaining the lubricating function in an effective manner.
The above-described process can be utilised in any field where self-lubrication is required, a prime example being moulded plastics bearings or gears. It is also feasible that, for example, a wax could be incorporated into the carrier with the resultant material being used to form a surface-contacting part of a ski to provide "lifetime" waxing and/or to form the surface of an artificial ski slope.
A suitable form of carrier for use in the above-described process is that described and claimed in UK patent no. 1576228 and sold by Azko Chemicals under the trade name ACCUREL. This substance is capable of absorbing approximately two-thirds of its own weight of the lubricant.
Different forms of microporous carriers can be used according to the nature of the base material, and carriers having the following properties are preferred, respectively, where the base material is a polyamide plastics (e.g. nylon), polyethylene or polypropylene:
Figure imgf000008_0001
75 3 mm 1.0-6.0 0.1-0.5
75 400- 0.5-3.0 0.05-0.3 1000 microns
Polyethylene
Density Void Particle Cell Pore (gm/cc3) Volume Size Size Size (Microns) (Microns)
0.915 75 < 200 1.0-5.0 0.1-0.5 microns 200- 400 microns
0.915 75 3 mm 1.0-5.0 0.1-0.5
0.945 75 3 mm 1.0-5.0 0.1-0.5
Polypropylene - 8 -
Figure imgf000010_0001
0.902 75 200 0.5-5.0 1.0-5.0 microns 200- 400 microns 400- 1000 microns >1000 microns
0.906 75 3 mm 1.0-5.0 0.1-1.0

Claims

Claims :
1. A method of producing a self-lubricating material, comprising absorbing a lubricant into a microporous carrier, and incorporating the lubricant-bearing carrier into a base material.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mixture of the lubricant-bearing carrier and the base material is used to mould, cast or extrude a desired article or component directly in its finished form.
3. A method of producing a self-lubricating article, comprising absorbing a lubricant into a microporous carrier, mixing the carrier with a base material, and moulding, casting or extruding said article in its finished form directly from the resultant mixture.
4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the microporous carrier has a structure comprising a plurality of substantially spherical microcells distributed substantially uniformly through the structure, adjacent cells being interconnected by pores smaller in diameter than the microcells.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the microcells have an average diameter of between 0.5 and 100 microns.
6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the microporous carrier is made of plastics material.
7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said plastics material is a polymer or copolymer of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a condensation polymer, a polyphenylene oxide or a blend thereof.
8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the microporous carrier is made of a metal or metal alloy.
9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the microporous carrier is made of the same material as the base material.
10. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the microporous carrier has a density within the approximate range of 0.9 to 0.945 gm/cc3.
11. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the microporous carrier has a void volume of substantially 75%.
12. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the microporous carrier has a cell size within the approximate range of 0.5 to 6.0 microns.
13. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the microporous carrier has a pore size within the approximate range of 0.05 to 5.0 microns.
14. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the carrier incorporating the lubricant is mixed with the base material in solid form, and the resultant mixture is then subjected to a melting operation.
15. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the carrier incorporating the lubricant is incorporated into the base material when the latter is in a molten state.
PCT/GB1989/001474 1988-12-14 1989-12-11 Self-lubricating materials WO1990006967A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8829095.2 1988-12-14
GB888829095A GB8829095D0 (en) 1988-12-14 1988-12-14 Application for self lubricated bearings
GB898911557A GB8911557D0 (en) 1989-05-19 1989-05-19 Self-lubricating materials
GB8911557.0 1989-05-19

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1990006967A1 true WO1990006967A1 (en) 1990-06-28

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1989/001474 WO1990006967A1 (en) 1988-12-14 1989-12-11 Self-lubricating materials

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0401335A1 (en)
JP (1) JPH03502470A (en)
WO (1) WO1990006967A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1992013205A1 (en) * 1991-01-28 1992-08-06 W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. A bushing liner

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1496843A (en) * 1974-06-13 1978-01-05 Metallurg Fr Des Poudres Metaf Self lubricating bearings
DE3030870A1 (en) * 1979-08-29 1981-03-26 Bando Chemical Industries Ltd., Kobe, Hyogo SELF LUBRICATING BEARING

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1496843A (en) * 1974-06-13 1978-01-05 Metallurg Fr Des Poudres Metaf Self lubricating bearings
DE3030870A1 (en) * 1979-08-29 1981-03-26 Bando Chemical Industries Ltd., Kobe, Hyogo SELF LUBRICATING BEARING

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Dialog Information Services, File 351, World Patent Index 81-89, Dialog accession no. 89-012455/02, Nippon Oil Seal Ind;(Nime-) Nippon Mektron KK: "Oil-containing polyurethane elastomer composition - prepd. by compounding polyurethane elastomer with microporous beads impregnated with lubricating oil", JP 63289062, A, 881125, 8902 (Basic) *
Patent Abstracts of Japan, Vol 10, No 66, M461, abstract of JP 60-211121, (MITSUBISHI DENKI K.K.) publ 1985-10-23 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1992013205A1 (en) * 1991-01-28 1992-08-06 W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. A bushing liner

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0401335A1 (en) 1990-12-12
JPH03502470A (en) 1991-06-06

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