EP4219668A1 - Lubricating composition - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lubricating composition for application to the surface of drive elements, the lubricating composition containing a base oil and a silsesquioxane. The composition is suitable for preventing, reducing or avoiding signs of fatigue in the material of drive elements, such as micropitting, false brinelling and white etching cracks.

Description

The present invention relates to a lubricating composition for application to the surface of drive elements such as roller bearings, gears, plain bearings and chains. The composition is suitable for preventing, reducing or avoiding signs of fatigue in the material of drive elements, such as micropitting, false brinelling and white etching cracks. Another object of the present invention is the use of the lubricant composition for treating surfaces of drive elements and the further use of such drive elements.

1. 1) Fressen und Verschleißen, bei denen die Schädigung von der Oberfläche der Kontaktflächen ausgeht.
2. 2) Ermüdungsschäden, die ihren Ausgang im Gefüge unterhalb der belasteten Flächen nehmen und letztendlich in Ausbrüchen, wie beispielsweise Graufleckenbildung, False Brinelling und White Etching Cracks, enden.

In the case of excessive mechanical loads, two types of damage occur in drive elements:

1. 1) Scuffing and galling where damage starts from the surface of the contact surfaces.
2. 2) Fatigue damage, which starts in the structure below the stressed areas and ultimately ends in spalling, such as micropitting, false brinelling and white etching cracks.

To reduce wear and galling, there are a variety of additives and solid lubricants that are well known and widely used.

Very few effective measures are known to prevent fatigue damage. One measure is to increase the thickness of the lubricating film.

Fatigue wear is caused by local overloading of the material due to periodic compressive stress. The fatigue of the material becomes visible through gray spots (grey staining, surface fatigue, micro-pitting) or pits on the surface of the material. As a rule, fine cracks appear in the metal lattice initially 20 to 40 µm below the surface, which lead to material breakouts. The small microscopically visible break-outs on the tooth flank, known as micropitting or gray spot formation, can be recognized macroscopically as dull gray areas. In the case of gearing, gray spots can usually be observed on the tooth flanks in practically all speed ranges. In rolling bearings, too, very flat pitting occurs as gray spots on the raceway in the area of the sliding contact. These relationships are detailed in DE 10 2007 036 856 A1 and the literature cited there.

White etching cracks (WEC) can lead to fatigue damage that occurs much earlier than is to be expected for a drive element with given load parameters. Metallographically, white cracks can be detected in the depth of the structure. The white discoloration is based on the fact that the cracks, which appear white, are not subject to the etching required in the sample preparation. With further tribological stress, these cracks can lead to fractures in the material and failure of the component. Several factors such as slip, harmful currents and diffused hydrogen are discussed as the cause.

It is well known that such damage occurs in particular in the bearings of electric motors or generators in wind turbines and in the automotive sector (see also dissertation H. Surborg, 2014, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Shaker Verlag Aachen 2014).

False brinelling is a form of damage that occurs in bearings that appear to be stationary. Micro-movements are introduced into the contact surfaces as a result of vibrations (e.g. in machines, but also during transport by means of motor vehicles, rail vehicles or ships) or elastic deformations, which can lead to damage after just a few load changes. This can lead to unsteady running behavior and immediate or early component failure.

Basically, the damage mechanisms described above due to the cracks that occur are among the most serious material impairments.

• Senkung der Kontaktkräfte,
• geeignete Auswahl des Schmiermittels,
• ausreichende Schmiermittelzufuhr,
• günstige Positionierung und Gestaltung der Schmierstellen,
• Vermeidung von Zuständen ohne Schmierung.

To avoid this fatigue damage, the following measures are usually taken in practice:

• reduction of contact forces,
• appropriate choice of lubricant,
• sufficient lubricant supply,
• favorable positioning and design of the lubrication points,
• Avoiding conditions without lubrication.

Various additives are also used to improve the viscosity properties in lubricants in order to avoid or at least minimize the above-mentioned damage in roller bearings, gears, gears and the like.

In addition, various investigations have been made to avoid signs of fatigue, including attempts to improve the lubricating effect of lubricants by adding various additives. In particular, additives were investigated that can be used to reduce friction between the components or that have improved viscosity.

That's how she describes it DE-OS 1 644 934 Organophosphates as additives in lubricants added as anti-fatigue additives.

The already mentioned above DE 10 2007 036 856 A1 discloses the addition of polymers having ester groups used as antifatigue additives in lubricants.

From the US 2003/0092585 A1 Thiazoles are known as additives that can prevent damage to surfaces.

The EP 1 642 957 A1 relates to the use of MoS2 and molybdenum dithiocarbamate, which are used as additives in urea greases for cardan shafts.

The additives known from the prior art described above, such as organophosphates and thiazoles, are not thermally stable as organic substances. In addition, they can evaporate under the operating conditions or, as classic anti-wear additives, can react primarily with the metal surfaces, ie they react primarily at the roughness points that are in contact, since the lightning temperatures that occur there provide sufficient energy for a chemical reaction with the metal friction layer is present. They can therefore counteract fatigue damage to a lesser extent at best. Solid lubricants, such as Molybdenum disulfide, on the other hand, due to its density, tends to settle out of oil formulations and can also be corrosive. Since the solid particles are used with particle sizes in the micrometer range, there is a strong influence on the flow behavior and an increase in viscosity, as well as a deviation from Newtonian flow behavior. This behavior worsens the availability of the additive in the lubricating gap. SEM investigations on the surfaces of the metallic friction partners show that these structures have indentations with dimensions well below 1 µm. These depressions are not accessible to the solid lubricant particles with sizes in the micrometer range.

DE 102011103215 A1 describes the use of a composition containing surface-modified nanoparticles and a carrier material that is applied to the surfaces of drive elements to prevent or reduce fatigue damage. It is assumed that the mechanism of action of the nanoparticles is based on the fact that they accumulate on the surface of the drive elements and thereby smooth them out. The smoothing increases the contact surfaces and reduces the surface pressure.

JP 2006144827 A names compositions with silica nanoparticles to suppress WEC damage.

Disadvantageous to the in DE 102011103215 A1 and JP 2006144827 A described compositions is that it is often difficult to bring about sufficient occupancy of the OH groups on the surface of the nanoparticles using the available techniques. This can lead to stability problems during storage. In addition, the entry of air can lead to foam formation. Finally, filtering the lubricant can cause filtration problems.

Based on the prior art, it is the object of the present invention to provide a lubricant composition that can be applied to the surfaces of drive elements in order to prevent, reduce or eliminate signs of fatigue such as micropitting, false brinelling and white etching cracks avoid, and at least partially eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages occurring in the prior art.

The subject of the present invention is a lubricating composition for application to the surface of drive elements, the lubricating composition containing a base oil and a silasesquioxane. The composition is suitable for preventing, reducing or avoiding signs of fatigue in the material of drive elements, such as micropitting, false brinelling and white etching cracks. The positive influence of the lubricant composition is surprising, since silasesquioxanes are significantly smaller than those in the publications DE 102011103215 A1 and JP2006144827A are nanoparticles and it could therefore not be assumed that, analogously to these particles, they can bring about a reduction in the signs of fatigue by smoothing the surface.

In practical tests, it was found that the composition according to the invention can be mixed homogeneously with base oils of the most varied of polarities, since the polarity of the composition can be easily adjusted, for example, via the selection of the substituents of the silsesquioxane. In addition, due to its production process, sufficient saturation of the OH groups of the silasesquioxane can be guaranteed. Furthermore, it was found that the use of silasesquioxane enables high storage stability and that there is no impairment of foaming behavior or filterability. In Practical tests have also found that silsesquioxanes which are liquid at room temperature (20° C.) and/or have low melting points (preferably below 100° C., DIN EN ISO 11357-2 (edition: 2014-07)) can be used favorably .

Silsesquioxanes (also called silsesquisiloxanes, sesquisiloxanes or silesquioxanes) are organosilicon compounds and form cage-like structures with Si-O-Si bonds and tetrahedral Si corners. The silsesquioxane can have 6 to 12 Si corners in molecular form and/or be present as an oligomer and/or polymer. Molecular silsesquioxanes are preferred according to the invention, more preferably molecular silsesquioxanes with 6 to 12, more preferably 7 to 10, in particular with 7 or 8 Si corners. In a preferred embodiment, each Si center is bonded to three oxo groups, which in turn connect to other Si centers.

In another preferred embodiment, the Si centers are only partially bonded to three oxo groups bonded to other Si centers, and there are, preferably three, Si centers bonded to only two oxo groups bonded to other Si centers. The third group herein is preferably a substituent, more preferably a hydroxy substituent.

The fourth group on the Si is also preferably a substituent, whereby a surface-modified silsesquioxane can be obtained, which is preferred according to the invention. Examples of suitable substituents are alkyl (C1-C20), cycloalkyl (C3-C20), alkenyl (C2-C20), cycloalkenyl (C5-C20), alkynyl (C2-C20), cycloalkynyl (C5-C20) -, aryl (C6-C18) or heteroaryl group, oxy, hydroxy, alkoxy (C4-C10), oxirane polymer (degree of polymerization with 4 to 20 repeat units)-, carboxy, silyl, alkylsilyl, alkoxysilyl , siloxy, alkylsiloxy, alkoxysiloxy, silylalkyl, alkoxysilylalkyl, alkylsilylalkyl, halogen, epoxy (C2-C20), ester, aryl ether, Fluoroalkyl, blocked isocyanate, acrylate, methacrylate, mercapto, nitrile, amine and/or phosphine group, each substituted or unsubstituted. The silsesquioxane can have the same substituents or mixtures of different substituents.

Preferred substituents are hydroxy, alkyl (C4-C10), aryl (C6-C12), especially phenyl and tolyl, alkoxyl (C4-C10), alkenyl (C2-C10), oxirane polymer, especially polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polybutylene glycol and/or or their copolymers (degree of polymerisation 4 to 20, in particular 10 to 15 repeating units), epoxy (C2-C10) and/or cycloalkyl (C5-C10), each substituted or unsubstituted.

Particularly preferred substituents are hydroxy, alkyl (C4-C10), phenyl, tolyl, alkoxyl (C4-C10), alkenyl (C2-C10) and/or oxirane polymer, in particular polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and/or their copolymers (degree of polymerisation 4 to 20, in particular 10 to 15 repeat units), each substituted or unsubstituted.

In a further embodiment of the invention, R can additionally have functional groups, in particular thio groups, phosphate groups, individually or in combination. The optionally present thio or phosphate groups can also react with the metal surface to be protected.

According to the invention, the silsesquioxane can also be mixtures of structurally different silsesquioxanes.

For example, silsesquioxanes can be synthesized by hydrolysis of organotrichlorosilanes (ideally: 8 RSiCl ₃ ; + 12 H ₂ O → [RSiO _3/2 ] ₈ + 24 HCl). Depending on the substituent (R), the exterior of the cage be further modified. When R = H, the Si-H group can undergo hydrosilylation or oxidation to the silanol. Bridged poly-silsesquioxanes are most readily prepared from clusters containing two or more trifunctional silyl groups attached to non-hydrolyzable silicon-carbon bonds. Vinyl-substituted silsesquioxanes can be linked by alkene metathesis.

In a preferred embodiment, the silsesquioxane has the chemical formula [RSiO _3/2 ] _n where: n = 6, 8, 10, 12; preferably n = 8, 10, 12 and in particular 8, where R independently of one another = alkyl (C1-C20), cycloalkyl (C3-C20), alkenyl (C2-C20), cycloalkenyl (C5-C20), alkynyl (C2-C20), cycloalkynyl (C5-C20), aryl (C6-C18), or heteroaryl, oxy, hydroxy, alkoxy (C4-C10), oxirane polymer (degree of polymerisation with 4 to 20 repeat units) -, carboxy, silyl, alkylsilyl, alkoxysilyl, siloxy, alkylsiloxy, alkoxysiloxy, silylalkyl, alkoxysilylalkyl, alkylsilylalkyl, halo, epoxy (C2-C20), ester, aryl ether, fluoroalkyl -, Blocked isocyanate, acrylate, methacrylate, mercapto, nitrile, amine, and/or phosphine group, each substituted or unsubstituted.

The radicals R can be the same or different.

R is preferably independently of one another = hydroxy, alkyl (C4-C10), aryl (C6-C12), in particular phenyl and tolyl, alkoxyl (C4-C10), alkenyl (C2-C10), oxirane polymer, in particular polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, Polybutylene glycol and/or their copolymers (degree of polymerisation 4 to 20, in particular 10 to 15 repeating units), epoxy (C2-C10) and/or cycloalkyl (C5-C10), each substituted or unsubstituted.

R is particularly preferably independently of one another=hydroxy, alkyl (C4-C10), phenyl, tolyl, alkoxyl (C4-C10), alkenyl (C2-C10) and/or oxirane polymer, in particular polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and/or their copolymers (degree of polymerization 4 to 20, in particular 10 to 15 repeating units), in each case substituted or unsubstituted.

In a further embodiment of the invention, R can additionally have functional groups, in particular thio groups, phosphate groups, individually or in combination. The optionally present thio or phosphate groups can also react with the metal surface to be protected.

In another preferred embodiment, the silsesquioxane has a structure derived from the chemical formula [RSiO _3/2 ] _n in which one or more, preferably one, silicon unit RSi is replaced by other units. This silsesquioxane preferably has the formula [RSiO _3/2 ] _n (R ₂ SiO) ₃ , where the radicals R can be independently selected from those described above and n=2, 4, 6, 8, preferably n=2, 4, 6 and especially 4.

The use of bridged molecular silsesquioxanes is also conceivable.

wobei: R unabhängig voneinander = Oxiran-Polymer, vorzugsweise Polyethylenglykol, Polypropylenglykol, Polybutylenglykol und/oder deren Copolymere (Polymerisationsgrad mit 4 bis 20, vorzugsweise 10 bis 15 Wiederholungseinheiten) und insbesondere -CH₂CH₂(OCH₂CH₂)_mOCH₃ und m = 10 bis 15, insbesondere 13.3 ist, wobei das Silasesquioxan gegebenenfalls in Form einer Mischung mit anderen Silasesquioxanen vorliegt. Ein derartiges Silasesquioxan ist in Form einer Mischung mit anderen Silasesquioxanen beispielsweise erhältlich unter dem Handelsnamen: PEG POSS^® Cage Mixture von Hybrid Plastics.In a particularly preferred embodiment, the silsesquioxane is a silsesquioxane according to the formula (I):

where: R independently = oxirane polymer, preferably polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polybutylene glycol and/or their copolymers (degree of polymerization with 4 to 20, preferably 10 to 15 repeating units) and in particular -CH ₂ CH ₂ (OCH ₂ CH ₂ ) _m OCH ₃ and m = 10 to 15, especially 13.3, the silsesquioxane optionally being in the form of a mixture with other silsesquioxanes. Such a silsesquioxane is available in the form of a mixture with other silsesquioxanes, for example under the trade name: PEG ^POSS® Cage Mixture from Hybrid Plastics.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the silsesquioxane is a silsesquioxane according to the above formula (I), where: R independently = alkyl (C4-C10), aryl (C6-C12), preferably isooctyl, isobutyl and/or phenyl, especially isooctyl, the silsesquioxane optionally being in the form of a mixture with other silsesquioxanes. Such a silsesquioxane is available in the form of a mixture with other silsesquioxanes, for example under the trade names: Isooctyl ^POSS® Cage Mixture and Octalsobutyl ^POSS® from Hybrid Plastics.

wobei R unabhängig voneinander = Alkyl (C4-C10), vorzugsweise iso-octyl ist. Ein derartiges Silasesquioxan ist beispielsweise erhältlich unter dem Handelsnamen: TriSilanollsobutyl POSS^® von Hybrid Plastics.In another particularly preferred embodiment, the silsesquioxane is a silsesquioxane of the formula (II):

where R is independently = alkyl (C4-C10), preferably iso-octyl. Such a silasesquioxane is available, for example, under the trade name: TriSilanollsobutyl ^POSS® from Hybrid Plastics.

It has been shown that the lubricant composition can also contain mixtures of structurally different silasesquioxanes.

In a further preferred embodiment, the silsesquioxane is present on nanoparticle carrier materials, preferably on oxidic nanoparticles, in particular on amorphous silicon dioxide nanoparticles. Such silasesquioxanes are available, for example, under the trade name ^POSS® Nanosilica Dispersion from Hybrid Plastics. The advantage here is the very good stabilization of the nanoparticles in different media and the combination of the two different particle sizes.

The silsesquioxane can be blended directly with the base oil of the lubricant or in the form of a masterbatch. In the case of introduction in the form of a premix, this advantageously contains a carrier material, preferably selected from the group consisting of mineral oils, synthetic hydrocarbons, including particularly preferably polyalphaolefins (PAO) and metallocene-catalyzed PAO (m-PAO), polyglycols, esters, perfluoropolyethers (PFPE ), silicone oils, native oils and derivatives of native oils, oils containing aromatics such as phenyl ethers, alkylated naphthalenes and mixtures of the above carrier materials. Polyglycols, esters and synthetic hydrocarbons are particularly preferably used as carrier material.

The base oil of the lubricant composition is preferably selected from the group consisting of polyglycols, silicone oils, PFPE, mineral oils, esters, synthetic hydrocarbons, including particularly preferably PAO, m-PAO, oils containing aromatics such as phenyl ethers, alkylated diphenyl ethers, alkylated naphthalenes, phenyl ethers, native oils and Derivatives of native oils and mixtures of the above base oils. Polyglycols, esters and/or synthetic hydrocarbons, including particularly preferably polyalphaolefins (PAO) and metallocene-catalyzed PAO (m-PAO), are particularly preferably used as the base oil. Particularly preferred esters are selected from an ester of an aliphatic or aromatic di-, tri- or tetracarboxylic acid (preferably C ₆ - to C ₆₀ -) with one or a mixture of C ₇ - to C ₂₂ -alcohols, from an ester of trimethylolpropane, Pentaerythritol or dipentaerythritol with aliphatic C ₇ to C ₂₂ carboxylic acids, from C ₁₈ dimer acid esters with C ₇ to C ₂₂ alcohols, from complex esters, as individual components or in any mixture.

The lubricant composition can also contain other customary additives such as thickeners (metal soaps, metal complex soaps, bentonites, ureas, silicates, sulfonates, polyimides, etc.), solid lubricants (PTFE, metal oxides, graphite, boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide, etc.) and additives (phosphates, thiophosphates, aromatic amines, phenols, sulfates, etc.). Preferred thickeners are lithium soaps, lithium complex soaps, ureas, calcium complex soaps, calcium sulfonate thickeners, bentonites, aluminum complex soaps. Particularly preferred thickeners are lithium soaps, lithium complex soaps, aluminum complex soaps, bentonites and ureas.

The additives mentioned can be soluble additives, in particular as anti-corrosion agents, as agents for reducing friction, as agents for protection against metal influences and as UV stabilizers.

For gear applications, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the lubricant composition has a viscosity of ISO VG 68-680, particularly preferably ISO VG 220-460. The base oils preferably used are polyglycols on the one hand and mixtures of synthetic hydrocarbons on the other hand, including particularly preferably mixtures of PAO with m-PAO, mixtures of esters or compositions containing mixtures of synthetic hydrocarbons and esters as base oils. Medicinal white oils are also suitable.

For grease-lubricated applications in wind turbines, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the lubricant composition has an NLGI class of 0 to 3, preferably 1 or 2, according to DIN 51818. The base oil preferably has a viscosity in the range from 50 to 460 mm ² /sec. Base oils used with preference are PAO, m-PAO, esters and mixtures thereof. Preferred thickeners are lithium soaps, lithium complex soaps and ureas.

For applications in the automotive sector, it has proven to be particularly favorable if the lubricant composition has an NLGI class of 1 to 3 according to DIN 51818. Base oils that are preferably used are mineral oils, PAO, m-PAO, esters and mixtures thereof. Preferred thickeners are lithium soaps, lithium complex soaps, calcium complex soaps and ureas. The base oil preferably has a viscosity in the range of 30-300 mm ² /sec, preferably in the range of 50-200 mm ² /sec.

The lubricant composition preferably contains the silsesquioxane in an amount of from 0.01 to 40% by weight, more preferably from 0.05 to 20% by weight, even more preferably in an amount from 0.07 to 15% by weight and in particular from 0. 1 to 10% by weight based on the total weight of the lubricant composition. In a further preferred embodiment, the lubricant composition contains the silsesquioxane in an amount of 0.05 to 5% by weight.

The lubricating composition contains the base oil preferably in an amount of 99.99 to 50% by weight, more preferably 99 to 60% by weight and especially in an amount of 98 to 65% by weight based on the total weight of the lubricating composition.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the lubricant composition contains polyglycol as base oil in combination with a silsesquioxane of the formula [RSiO _3/2 ] _n with: n = 6, 8, 10, 12, preferably n = 8, 10, 12 and in particular 8 , where R is independently = oxirane polymer, in particular polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and / or their copolymers (degree of polymerization 4 to 20, in particular 10 to 15 repeat units).

Also conceivable is the combination of polyglycol as base oil with a silsesquioxane of the formula [RSiO _3/2 ]n(R ₂ SiO) ₃ , with n=2, 4, 6, 8, preferably n=2, 4, 6 and in particular 4 , where R is independently = alkyl (C4-C10), preferably iso-octyl.

The combination of polyglycol as base oil with ^PEGPOSS® Cage Mixture is particularly preferred.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the lubricant composition contains esters, hydrocarbons, alkylated diphenyl ethers as base oil in combination with a silsesquioxane of the formula [RSiO _3/2 ] _n where n=6, 8, 10, 12, preferably n=8, 10, 12 and especially 8, where: R = alkyl (C1-C20)-, or aryl (C6-C18)-, more preferably iso-octyl, iso-butyl and/or phenyl.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the lubricant composition contains esters, hydrocarbons, alkylated diphenyl ethers as base oil in combination with a silsesquioxane according to formula (I) above, where: R = iso-octyl or iso-butyl and/or phenyl. The combination of esters, hydrocarbons, alkylated diphenyl ethers as base oil with ^{IsooctylPOSS®} Cage Mixture, ^PhenylPOSS® , ^{OctalsobutylPoss®} is particularly preferred.

The composition according to the invention generally contains silsesquioxane in an amount of from 0.01 to 40% by weight, more preferably from 0.05 to 20% by weight, even more preferably in an amount from 0.07 to 15% by weight and in particular from 0 .1 to 10% by weight; Base oil in an amount of 99.99 to 50% by weight, more preferably in an amount of 99 to 50% by weight, still more preferably in an amount of 99 to 60% by weight, especially in an amount of 98 to 65% by weight. %; Thickeners in an amount of 3 to 40% by weight, more preferably in an amount of 5 to 40% by weight and in particular in an amount of 7 to 25% by weight and solid lubricants in an amount of 0% to 30% by weight. %, more preferably in an amount of 0 to 20% by weight and additives in an amount of 0% to 15% by weight, even more preferably in an amount of 0 to 10% by weight and in particular in an amount of 2 to 10% by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the lubricant composition.

• 5 bis 80 Gew.%, vorzugsweise von 10 bis 80 Gew.%, noch bevorzugter von 20 bis 70 Gew.% und insbesondere von 25 bis 60 Gew.% Polyalkylenglykol, vorzugsweise ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus statistisch verteilten Polyoxyethylen- und/oder Polyoxypropyleneinheiten und/oder anderer Polyoxyalkylenbausteinen, einem Blockpolymer aus Polyoxyethylen- und/oder Polyoxypropyleneinheiten und/oder anderen Polyoxyalkylenbausteinen, als Basisöl und/oder
• 5 bis 80 Gew.%, vorzugsweise von 10 bis 80 Gew.%, noch bevorzugter von 20 bis 70 Gew.% und insbesondere von 25 bis 60 Gew.% Carbonsäureester als Basisöl und/oder
• 2 bis 80 Gew.%, vorzugsweise von 10 bis 80 Gew.%, noch bevorzugter von 20 bis 70 Gew.% und insbesondere von 25 bis 60 Gew.% Fettalkoholethoxylate als Basisöl,
• mehr als 10 Gew.%, vorzugsweise von 15 bis 85 Gew.%, noch bevorzugter von 20 bis 60 Gew.% und insbesondere von 25 bis 50 Gew.% Wasser,
• 0,01 bis 40 Gew.%, noch bevorzugter von 0,05 bis 20 Gew.%, noch bevorzugter von 0,07 bis 15 Gew.% und/oder von 0,05 bis 5 Gew.% und/oder von 0,1 bis 10 Gew.% Silasesquioxan,

wobei die Mengenangaben jeweils auf das Gesamtgewicht der Schmierstoffzusammensetzung bezogen sind.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lubricant composition contains:

• 5 to 80% by weight, preferably from 10 to 80% by weight, more preferably from 20 to 70% by weight and especially from 25 to 60% by weight of polyalkylene glycol, preferably selected from the group consisting of random polyoxyethylene and/or Polyoxypropylene units and/or other polyoxyalkylene building blocks, a block polymer of polyoxyethylene and/or polyoxypropylene units and/or other polyoxyalkylene building blocks, as base oil and/or
• 5 to 80% by weight, preferably from 10 to 80% by weight, more preferably from 20 to 70% by weight and in particular from 25 to 60% by weight of carboxylic acid ester as base oil and/or
• 2 to 80% by weight, preferably from 10 to 80% by weight, more preferably from 20 to 70% by weight and in particular from 25 to 60% by weight of fatty alcohol ethoxylates as base oil,
• more than 10% by weight, preferably from 15 to 85% by weight, more preferably from 20 to 60% by weight and in particular from 25 to 50% by weight water,
• 0.01 to 40% by weight, more preferably from 0.05 to 20% by weight, even more preferably from 0.07 to 15% by weight and/or from 0.05 to 5% by weight and/or from 0, 1 to 10% by weight silsesquioxane,

where the quantities are based in each case on the total weight of the lubricant composition.

Because of its water content, this lubricating composition can be considered a water-based lubricating composition.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lubricant composition is present as a water-based gear oil formulation with which, when carrying out an FZG test according to DIN ISO 14635-3, the power level 12 with total wear on the wheel and pinion of <150 mg is passed and preferably in the subsequent extended test of 50 hours at power level 10 no significant additional wear is generated.

Preferred base oils for the water-based lubricant composition are water-soluble polyalkylene glycols, water-soluble carboxylic acid esters and/or water-soluble fatty alcohol ethoxylates. According to the invention, "water-soluble" means that after mixing the base oils with water (stirring for 1 hour) in a concentration ratio of at least 5% by weight base oil in water at room temperature (25° C.), a transparent liquid is present.

Particularly preferred carboxylic acid ester base oils for the water-based lubricant composition are selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated mono- or dicarboxylic acids with a chain length of C ₄ - to C ₄₀ - and degrees of ethoxylation of 2-15.

Preferred fatty alcohol ethoxylates consist of fatty alcohols with chain lengths of _C6 to _C22 and a degree of ethoxylation of more than 3.

• 0,5 bis 20 Gew.%, vorzugsweise von 0,5 bis 10 Gew.%, schäumende oder nichtschäumende Emulgatoren aus der Klasse der anionischen, nichtionischen oder kationischen Tenside, vorzugsweise ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus aliphatischen oder aromatischen Ethoxylaten, Carboxylaten, Sulfonaten, Sulfaten oder Ammoniumsalzen,
• 0,5 bis 50 Gew.%, vorzugsweise von 1 bis 10 Gew.%, Frostschutzmittel, ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Alkylenglycol, Glycerin oder Ionischen Flüssigkeiten,
• 0,5 bis 20 Gew.%, vorzugsweise von 5 bis 20 Gew.%, Korrosionsadditive, ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Alkanolaminen, Phosphorsäure und Carbonsäurederivaten,
• 0,001 bis 2 Gew.%, vorzugsweise von 0,01 bis 1 Gew.%, Additive zur Verhinderung von Schaumbildung, ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Polydimethylsiloxan und Acrylatpolymeren,
• 0,05 bis 10 Gew.%, vorzugsweise von 1 bis 5 Gew.%, wasserlöslicher Fress- und Verschleißschutzmittel, ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Schwefel- oder Phosphor-haltigen Verbindungen,
• 0,001 bis 0,5 Gew.%, vorzugsweise von 0,05 bis 0,4 Gew.%, Biozide, ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus substituierten Isothiazolinonen und Bronopol,
• und Gemischen hiervon.

Preferred additives for the water-based lubricant composition are selected from the group consisting of:

• 0.5 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5 to 10% by weight, foaming or non-foaming emulsifiers from the class of anionic, nonionic or cationic surfactants, preferably selected from the group consisting of aliphatic or aromatic ethoxylates, carboxylates, sulfonates, sulfates or ammonium salts,
• 0.5 to 50% by weight, preferably from 1 to 10% by weight, antifreeze selected from the group consisting of alkylene glycol, glycerine or ionic liquids,
• 0.5 to 20% by weight, preferably from 5 to 20% by weight, corrosion additives selected from the group consisting of alkanolamines, phosphoric acid and carboxylic acid derivatives,
• 0.001 to 2% by weight, preferably from 0.01 to 1% by weight, of antifoaming additives selected from the group consisting of polydimethylsiloxane and acrylate polymers,
• 0.05 to 10% by weight, preferably from 1 to 5% by weight, water-soluble anti-seize and anti-wear agent selected from the group consisting of sulfur- or phosphorus-containing compounds,
• 0.001 to 0.5% by weight, preferably from 0.05 to 0.4% by weight, biocides selected from the group consisting of substituted isothiazolinones and bronopol,
• and mixtures thereof.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the water-based lubricant composition contains 0.5 to 40% by weight lubricant thickener selected from the group consisting of metal soaps made from mono- and/or dicarboxylic acids, ureas, phyllosilicates, solid lubricants and aerosil.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lubricant composition is present as a gear oil formulation with which, when carrying out an FZG micropitting test C/8.3/60 according to FVA information sheet 54/7 with injection lubrication, the profile deviation in step running is 7.5 μm and/or in continuous running 20 μm does not exceed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lubricant composition is characterized in that when a false brinell test is carried out using an SNR FEB 2 test device at room temperature, 8000 N load, pivot angle 3° and 24 Hz vibration frequency, a running time of at least 50 h is achieved and the Wear of the drive element is preferably below 100 mg, in particular below 20 mg.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the lubricant composition is characterized in that a mass loss of the drive element caused by vibrations is reduced by at least 50%, preferably by at least 90%, and/or the length of time until failure is at least doubled.

Another object of the present invention is the use of the lubricant composition according to the invention for treating surfaces of drive elements, preferably of roller bearings, gears, plain bearings and/or chains, in particular roller bearings and gears. The lubricant composition according to the invention is also suitable for lubricating seals on rotating shafts.

It is particularly advantageous to use it in roller bearings that are used as wheel bearings and/or in transmissions that are exposed to vibration. The use in main bearings, blade bearings, adjustable bearings, generator bearings of wind turbines is also particularly advantageous. Particularly the application in roller bearings used in electric motors of electrically powered vehicles is advantageous. The application in rolling bearings in clutches is particularly advantageous, especially in hybrid vehicles. Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous to use it in bearings in ancillary units, both in industrial plants and in automobiles. Bearings in ancillary units are characterized by the fact that the ancillary units are generally not operated continuously but are only switched on at times, which means that vibrations affect the stationary bearings. Ancillary units in automobiles are also frequently driven via pulleys. Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous to use it in joints in automotive applications such as constant velocity joints, azipod joints, tripod joints, chassis joints and/or ball joints, where material fatigue/fractures are also known to be a damage pattern.

The drive elements mentioned above are particularly susceptible to the damage mechanisms described at the beginning, so that the use of silsesquioxanes with their beneficial influence on them is particularly efficient.

Also particularly preferred is the treatment of surfaces of drive elements in machines and conveyor systems that are used for the production of food, where direct contact of the lubricant composition with the food is possible and a corresponding food law approval of the lubricant composition is required (USDA or NSF, Kosher , halal).

A further object of the present invention is the use of drive elements, preferably roller bearings, gears, plain bearings and/or chains, the surfaces of which have been treated with the lubricant composition according to the invention, in systems and machines for the production and transport of food, in wind turbines, in automobiles, in pulley bearings, in rail vehicles, in ships, in electric motors, generators, ancillary units, joints.

Test methods used:

With the SNR-FEB 2 (False-Brinelling test stand of the roller bearing company SNR), the wear behavior of lubricant compositions in roller bearings is determined with small oscillating rolling and sliding movements with a constant load. The switch-off criterion for the SNR is the wear path. If the value for a bearing rises above 30 mm, the run is automatically ended or the specified running time is reached. Bearing type FAG 51206 is used as a test bearing. The resulting wear is not determined via the wear path but by weighing the cleaned bearing rings before and after the test. The grooves of the bearing rings are completely filled with the lubricant composition to be tested, and excess grease is wiped off. Depending on the density, this results in a quantity of lubricant composition of approx. 1 g per bearing ring.

Flender foam test GG-V 425 Rev.1

The test device consists of a closed gear housing with a viewing window. Two gears of the same size (external diameter 54 mm) are mounted centrally above vertical shafts, which are immersed in the test oil so that part of the gears are not covered by oil. The pair of gears is driven for 5 minutes at a speed of 1450 rpm. Air is mixed into the oil, so to speak. The change/increase in volume can be measured using a scale in the viewing window. be documented. Limit values of the standard are: after 1 min standstill after operation of the gear pair ≤15% and after 5 min standstill ≤10% total. Foam volumes must not be exceeded.

viscosity

Viscosity measurement (DIN 51562) using a Stabinger viscometer SVM 3000 (Anton Paar).

Foam test ASTM D 892

In the method, air is foamed with a constant volume flow over an immersed sintered ball at room temperature, then at 94°C and then again at room temperature for 1 min. It is measured a) how much foam forms in ml and b) how long it takes for the foam to dissipate after the air inlet has ended. Specification is (a,b). Limit value: (max. 75 ml/10 min) for all 3 temperature sequences must not be exceeded. b is specified in the form x:y min. This means the foam has dissolved after x minutes and y seconds.

micropitch test

C/8.3/60 according to FVA information sheet 54/7 with injection lubrication. The limit values of the standard are: The profile deviation must not exceed 7.5 µm in step running and 20 µm in continuous running. The test was also partially carried out at 90°C and splash lubrication.

FZG test method A/2.8/50 for determining the relative scuffing load capacity and wear behavior of semi-fluid gear greases

Execution according to standard DIN ISO 14635-3 with splash lubrication. Limits of the standard are:
Achieved force level = sum of the damage (width of all grooves and seizures) on the active tooth flanks of the 16 pinion teeth is more than one tooth width or 20 mm.

Additional evaluation of wheel and pinion wear.

In addition, after the end of the test, an extended test was carried out over a period of 50 hours at power level 10 to determine the wear on the wheel and pinion.

Filtration test stand:

A heatable oil reservoir (60°C) is filled with approx. 10L oil, with an adjustable pump (Vogel Fluidtec GmbH / flow sensor controlled) the oil is circulated (6L/min) through a filter with a precisely defined pore size (Mahle PI 2105 PS 3µm/ Mahle PI 3105 PS 10µm) pumped. The pressure is measured by sensors in front of and behind the filter. The system switches off when the pressure difference here exceeds 2.2 bar. The duration of the test is up to 840 hours.

Example 1: Test to improve false brinell protection

A lithium soap grease of NLGI class 2 with polyglycol base oil with approx. 46 mm ² /sec viscosity at 40°C and an additive package (corrosion, oxidation stability, load carrying capacity, wear) was mixed with 5.85% PEGPOSS ^® Cage Mixture and mixed with a speed mixer (company . Hauschild, Type DAC 700.1 FVZ) homogenized (example fat 1). PEGPOSS ^® Cage Mixture has a viscosity of approx. 80 mm ² /sec at 40°C. In order to compensate for the dilution effect, a comparison fat 1 was produced, in which the fat was diluted with 5.85% of a polyglycol based on EO:PO approx. 1:1 with a comparable viscosity and homogenized in the same way. Both greases were subjected to a load of 8000 N, a swivel angle of 3° and a vibration frequency of 24 Hertz at 20°C using the SNR FEB 2 test stand. Sample grease 1 achieves the intended test duration of 50 hours with little loss of mass in the bearings. Comparative grease 1, on the other hand, reaches the maximum permissible wear after approx. 19 hours, and the run has to be stopped. Example Grease 1, PG Grease, Lithium Soap, PG Base Oil + Diluted with 5.85% PEGPOSS ^® Cage Mixture Comparative Grease 1, PG Grease, Lithium Soap, PG Base Oil + Diluted with 5.85% PG Base Oil Wear Bearing 1 (mg) 21 95 Wear bearing 2 (mg) 0 216 test duration 50 h 19 h, 28 min (cancel)

Example 2: Effect of silasesquioxane in suppressing micropitting in an ester gear oil

Reference oil 2: Ester-based gear oil, ISO VG 100 additive package (corrosion, foam, oxidation stability, load carrying capacity, wear) Reference Oil 2 + 1.3% Isooctyl POSS ^® Cage Mixture Kinematic viscosity 40°C [mm ² /sec] 98 99.3 ASTM foam test rt 0 ml / 0 min 0 ml / 0:0 min 94°C 0 ml / 0 min 0 ml / 0:0 min rt 0 ml / 0 min 10 ml/ 0:03 min FZG gray spot test, C/8.3/60 Step test, change in weight (mg) after strength step 10 24 16 Step test, micropitting area (%) after power step 10/400 h 30 20 Step test, profile shape deviation (µm) after power level 10/400 h 8.8 (fail) 7.3 (pass) Endurance test, change in weight (mg) according to strength level 10/400 h failed* 35 Endurance test, micropitting area (%) after power level 10 failed* 23 Endurance test, profile shape deviation (µm) after power level 10 failed* 10.8 (pass) *Failure after 240 h force level 10 due to damage limit being exceeded, profile shape deviation > 20 µm

The results show that when IsooctylPOSS ^® is added to the ester-based gear oil, there are no changes in the kinematic viscosity and foam behavior. The formation of the gray spots is against it strongly suppressed, the addition of IsooctylPOSS ^® Cage Mixture means that the test run can be carried out over the entire test period and the profile shape deviation remains well below the limit values.

Example 3: Effect of silsesquioxane in reducing foaming and micropitting in polyglycol based gear oil

Reference oil 3: Polyglycol gear oil, additive package (corrosion, oxidation stability, load carrying capacity, wear, foam) ISO VG 100 Reference Oil 3 + 5.8% PEGPOSS ^® Cage Mixture Viscosity 40°C [mm ² /sec] 101 102 ASTM foam test rt 10 ml / 0:15 min 0 ml / 0:0 min 94°C 20 ml / 0:15 min 10 ml / 0:0 min rt 20 ml / 0:25 min 10 ml/ 0.03 min Flender foam test Foam after 1 min standing time (%) 20 0 Foam after 5 min standing time (%) 19 4 FZG micropitting test, C/8.3/90°C splash lubrication Step test, change in weight (mg) after strength step 10 17 1 Step test, micropitting area (%) after power step 10 10 0 Step test, profile shape deviation (µm) after power level 10 5 4.6 Endurance test, change in weight (mg) according to strength level 10/400 h 11 8th Endurance test, gray spot area (%) after power level 10/400 h 20 0 Endurance test, profile shape deviation (µm) according to power level 10/400 h 9.6 7

By adding PEGPOSS ^® Cage Mixture there is no significant change in viscosity and ASTM foam test, but there is a significant improvement in the Flender foam test and the appearance of gray spots is almost completely suppressed.

Example 4: Filterability of oils containing silsesquioxane compared to oils containing SiO ₂ nanoparticles

Reference oil 4: gear oil PAO/ester ISO VG 46 additive package (corrosion, oxidation stability, load carrying capacity, wear, foam) Reference oil 4 +1.3% IsooctylPOSS ^® Reference oil 4 + 0.5% SiO ₂ nanoparticles, primary particles 10 nm, surface covered with phenyl and trimethylsilyl groups Viscosity 40°C [mm ² /sec] 46.2 47 47.6 Flender foam test, before filtration test Foam after 1 min standing time (%) 2 2 2 Foam after 5 min standing time (%) 0 3 2 Filtration test 3 µm filter Pressure build-up/test duration < 2.2 bar/840 h < 2.2 bar/840 h > 2.2 bar/0h filterability passport passport failed Flender foam test, after filtration test 3 µm Foam after 1 min standing time (%) 4 5 not determined Foam after 5 min standing time (%) 5 5 not determined Filtration test 10 µm filter Pressure build-up/test duration not determined < 2.2 bar/760 h > 2.2 bar/0h filterability not determined passport failed

Reference oil 4 can be filtered at 3 µm without any problems. The addition of IsooctylPOSS ^® Cage Mixture has no effect on the viscosity and the good filtration and foaming behavior.

By using SiO ₂ nanoparticles, which can also be used to reduce micropitting, high pressures are required for effective filtration. The proportion of inorganic SiO _x is approximately the same in the two oils with the additives containing silicon.

Even with a coarser filter of 10 µm, it is not possible to filter the oil containing SiO ₂ at low pressures; a pressure of more than 2.2 bar builds up immediately and the test is aborted. The oil containing IsooctylPOSS ^® Cage Mixture, on the other hand, can be filtered without any problems.

Example 5: Effect of silasesquioxane in reducing wear in water-based gear oil

Reference oil 5: water-based gear oil based on polyglycol (approx. 39% by weight), additive package (approx. 21% by weight corrosion, load carrying capacity/wear, foam, biocide), water (approx. 40% by weight) Reference oil 5 + 1% by weight PEGPOSS ^® Cage Mixture Viscosity 40°C ISO VG 460 ISO VG 460 FZG DIN ISO 14635-3-A/2.8/50 splash lubrication Achieved power level 12 12 Total wear after power level 11 188 mg 96 mg Total wear after power level 12 231 mg 145 mg Additional wear according to power level 10/50 h 63 mg 7 mg

Adding PEGPOSS ^® Cage Mixture does not result in a significant change in viscosity, but there is a significant improvement in wear behavior in gear applications, especially at moderate loads (power level 10).

Claims (20)

A lubricating composition for application to the surface of power transmission elements, the lubricating composition containing a base oil and a silsesquioxane. Lubricating composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the silsesquioxane has the chemical formula [RSiO3/2] _n with: n = 6, 8, 10, 12; where R independently = alkyl (C1-C20)-, cycloalkyl (C3-C20)-, alkenyl (C2-C20)-, cycloalkenyl (C5-C20)-, alkynyl (C2-C20)-, cycloalkynyl (C5-C20). ), aryl (C6-C18) or heteroaryl group, oxy, hydroxy, alkoxy (C4-C10), oxirane polymer (degree of polymerization with 4 to 20 repeat units), carboxy, silyl, alkylsilyl, alkoxysilyl -, siloxy, alkylsiloxy, alkoxysiloxy, silylalkyl, alkoxysilylalkyl, alkylsilylalkyl, halogen, epoxy (C2-C20), ester, aryl ether, fluoroalkyl, blocked isocyanate, acrylate, methacrylate, Mercapto, nitrile, amine, and/or phosphine group, each substituted or unsubstituted. Lubricant composition according to claim 2, characterized in that R independently = hydroxy, alkyl (C4-C10), aryl (C6-C12), in particular phenyl and tolyl, alkoxyl (C4-C10), alkenyl (C2-C10), oxirane Polymer, in particular polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polybutylene glycol and/or their copolymers (degree of polymerisation with 4 to 20, in particular 10 to 15, repeating units), epoxy (C2-C10) and/or cycloalkyl (C5-C10). Lubricant composition according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that R independently = hydroxy, alkyl (C4-C10), phenyl, tolyl, alkoxyl (C4-C10), alkenyl (C2-C10) and/or oxirane polymer, in particular polyethylene glycol , Polypropylene glycol and/or their copolymers (degree of polymerization with 4 to 20, in particular 10 to 15, repeating units). Lubricating composition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the silsesquioxane has the chemical formula [RSiO _3/2 ] _n (R ₂ SiO) ₃ with: n = 2, 4, 6, 8, where R independently = Alkyl (C1-C20)-, Cycloalkyl (C3-C20)-, Alkenyl (C2-C20)-, Cycloalkenyl (C5-C20)-, Alkynyl (C2-C20)-, Cycloalkynyl (C5-C20)-, Aryl ( C6-C18) or heteroaryl group, oxy, hydroxy, alkoxy (C4-C10), oxirane polymer (degree of polymerization with 4 to 20 repeating units), carboxy, silyl, alkylsilyl, alkoxysilyl, siloxy, Alkylsiloxy, alkoxysiloxy, silylalkyl, alkoxysilylalkyl, alkylsilylalkyl, halogen, epoxy (C2-C20), ester, aryl ether, fluoroalkyl, blocked isocyanate, acrylate, methacrylate, mercapto, nitrile , amine, and/or phosphine group, each substituted or unsubstituted. Lubricant composition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the silsesquioxane is a silsesquioxane according to the formula:

where: R independently = oxirane polymer, preferably polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polybutylene glycol and/or their copolymers (degree of polymerisation with 4 to 20, preferably 10 to 15 repeating units) and in particular
-CH ₂ CH ₂ (OCH ₂ CH ₂ ) _m OCH ₃ , and m = 10 to 15, the silsesquioxane optionally being in the form of a mixture with other silsesquioxanes. Lubricant composition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the silsesquioxane is a silsesquioxane according to the formula (I): where: R independently = alkyl (C4-C10), aryl (C6-C12), preferably iso-octyl, iso-butyl and/or phenyl, the silsesquioxane optionally being in the form of a mixture with other silsesquioxanes. Lubricant composition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the silsesquioxane is a silsesquioxane according to the formula:

where: R is independently = alkyl (C4-C10), preferably iso-octyl. Lubricant composition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the silsesquioxane is present on nanoparticle carrier materials, preferably on oxidic nanoparticles, in particular on amorphous silicon dioxide nanoparticles. Lubricant composition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base oil is selected from the group consisting of polyglycols, silicone oils, PFPE, mineral oils, esters, synthetic hydrocarbons, in particular PAO, m-PAO, oils containing aromatics such as phenyl ethers, alkylated diphenyl ethers, alkylated naphthalenes, phenyl ethers, native oils and derivatives of native oils, and mixtures thereof. Lubricant composition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lubricant composition contains: - 5 to 80% by weight of polyalkylene glycol, preferably selected from the group consisting of statistically distributed polyoxyethylene and/or polyoxypropylene units and/or other polyoxyalkylene building blocks, a block polymer of polyoxyethylene and/or polyoxypropylene units and/or other polyoxyalkylene building blocks as base oil, and/or - 5 to 80% by weight of carboxylic acid ester as base oil and/or - 2 to 80% by weight fatty alcohol ethoxylates as base oil, - more than 10% by weight of water and - 0.01 to 40% by weight of silsesquioxane, where the quantities are based in each case on the total weight of the lubricant composition. Lubricant composition according to Claim 11, characterized in that the polyalkylene glycol, the carboxylic acid ester and/or the fatty alcohol ethoxylate are water-soluble. Lubricant composition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the silsesquioxane is present in an amount of from 0.01 to 40% by weight, more preferably from 0.05 to 20% by weight, even more preferably from 0.07 to 15% by weight. % and in particular from 0.1 to 10% by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the lubricant composition. Lubricant composition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that polyglycol as base oil in combination with a silsesquioxane of the formula [RSiO _3/2 ] _n with: n = 6, 8, 10, 12, where R independently = oxirane polymer , In particular polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and / or their copolymers (degree of polymerization with 4 to 20, in particular 10 to 15 repeating units) is included. Lubricant composition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that esters, hydrocarbons, alkylated diphenyl ethers as base oil in combination with a silsesquioxane according to the formula [RSiO3/2] _n with n = 6, 8, 10, 12; where: R is independently = alkyl (C1 to C20)-, or aryl (C6-C18)-, more preferably iso-octyl, iso-butyl and/or phenyl. Lubricant composition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that silsesquioxane is present in an amount from 0.01 to 40% by weight, more preferably from 0.05 to 20% by weight, even more preferably in an amount from 0.07 to 15 wt.% and in particular from 0.1 to 10 wt.%; base oil in an amount of from 99.99 to 50% by weight, more preferably from 99 to 50% by weight, still more preferably from 99 to 60% by weight and especially from 98 to 65% by weight; thickener in an amount of 3 to 40% by weight, preferably 5 to 40% by weight, and in particular 7 to 25% by weight; and solid lubricants in an amount of from 0% to 30% by weight, more preferably from 0 to 20% by weight; and additives are contained in an amount of from 0% to 15% by weight, more preferably from 0 to 10% by weight and in particular from 2 to 10% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the lubricating composition. Lubricant composition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is present as a gear oil formulation and that when carrying out an FZG micropitting test C/8.3/60 according to FVA information sheet 54/7 with injection lubrication, the profile deviation during step operation is 7.5 µm and/or or does not exceed 20 µm during continuous operation. Lubricant composition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that when a false brinell test is carried out using an SNR FEB 2 test device at room temperature, a load of 8000 N, a pivot angle of 3° and a vibration frequency of 24 Hz, a running time of at least 50 h is achieved and the wear of the Drive element is preferably below 100 mg. Use of the lubricant composition according to one or more of the preceding claims for treating surfaces of drive elements, preferably roller bearings, gears, slide bearings and/or chains, the drive elements preferably being used in plants and machines for the production and conveyance of food, in wind power plants, in automobiles, in pulley bearings, in rail vehicles, in ships, in electric motors, generators, ancillary units, joints. Use of drive elements, preferably roller bearings, gears, plain bearings and/or chains, the surfaces of which have been treated with a lubricant composition according to one or more of claims 1 to 18, in plants and machines for the production and conveyance of food, in wind power plants, in automobiles, in Pulley bearings, in rail vehicles, in ships, in electric motors, generators, ancillary units, joints.