JPH11189780A - Lubricant-feeding composition and its production - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a lubricant-feeding composition that can be used at elevated temperature, shows excellent mechanical strengths and can feed a lubricant and grease to the site to be lubricated by hardening a specific polyurea elastomer as the elastomer in a state that it contains lubricant or grease. SOLUTION: (A) Polyurea elastomer is prepared by reaction of (i) a polyisocyanate component with (ii) an amine component of a mixture of an aromatic polyamine of the formula (A is a soft segment of a polyalkylene ether with an average molecular weight of >=200) and an aromatic diamine. Then, the poluyurea elastomer is allowed to contain (B) a lubricant compatible with the component ii or a grease containing the lubricant as a base oil and to harden. In order to obtain the composition, the component ii and the composition B are mixed, the component i is admixed to the mixture and they are allowed to harden as the component ii holds the component B, then this hardened product is post-cured by heating the hardened product at 100-180 deg.C.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lubricant supply composition for supplying a lubricant or grease to a portion to be lubricated and a method for producing the same, and more particularly, to a rolling bearing, a linear guide device, a ball screw device and the like which are exposed to high temperatures. The present invention relates to a lubricant supply composition applicable to parts and a method for producing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, lubricating components such as bearings are filled with a lubricating composition such as lubricating oil or semi-solid grease. However, since these lubricating compositions, as well as lubricating oils, also semi-solid greases are fluidized as the temperature rises during bearing rotation, seal plates are used to prevent these lubricating compositions from scattering. The filling portion must be sealed with a sealing member such as the one described above, which complicates the structure, and in some cases, such as a small bearing, the sealing member cannot be attached.

Therefore, as a lubrication system that does not require a sealing member, a lubricant supply composition in which a lubricating oil and a resin are mixed and solidified has been developed and put into practical use. This resin-based lubricant supply composition is one in which lubricating oil retained in the resin oozes out to the surface of the resin to exhibit a lubricating action. For example, US Pat. Nos. 3,729,415 and 3,547,819,
JP-A-3541011 describes polyethylene containing lubricating oil. Also, JP-B 63-23
No. 239 describes a lubricant supply composition in which lubricating grease is held in ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene having a molecular weight of about 1 × 10 ^{6 to} 5 × 10 ⁶ .

[0004]

However, since the lubricant supply composition comprising polyethylene and a lubricating oil or grease is based on polyethylene,
It begins to soften at about 80 ° C and melts completely at 130-140 ° C. Therefore, at a high temperature of 80 ° C. or higher, the mechanical strength is reduced, and there is a risk that the rolling element will be deformed or destroyed with the rotation of the rolling element when used in a bearing or the like to be separated from the filled portion.

In addition, polyethylene, which is a synthetic polyolefin resin, has no polar functional groups, bonds (for example, amide bonds), or aromatic rings in the molecule, and therefore, polar oils such as ester oils and polyphenyl ether oils are not present. Large lubricating oil and grease based on that lubricating oil
Poor compatibility, if these lubricants are used alone or in combination with a low-polarity oil in an amount of 50% by weight or more, lubrication such that the amount of lubricant in the entire lubricant supply composition becomes 50% by weight or more. It was difficult to form an agent delivery composition. Even if it can be formed, since the polyethylene has a poor ability to hold a lubricant having a large polarity, the lubricant may ooze out early and lose the lubricant supply ability.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, thereby enabling use at a high temperature of 100 to 120 ° C. and excellent mechanical strength, such as ester oil and polyphenyl ether oil. An object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant supply composition in which a large amount of lubricating oil having high polarity or a grease using the lubricating oil as a base oil is stably retained.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a lubricant supply composition according to the present invention comprises a polyisocyanate component and an aromatic compound containing a soft segment in a molecular chain represented by the following chemical formula (I). Group polyamine compounds,

[0008]

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(Wherein, A represents a soft segment and is a polyalkylene ether having an average molecular weight of 200 or more.) And an amine component comprising a mixture of an aromatic diamine and a polyurea elastomer obtained by reacting the amine with the amine It is characterized by being cured in a state of containing a lubricating oil having compatibility with components or a grease using the lubricating oil as a base oil.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, in the method for producing a lubricant supply composition of the present invention, after mixing the amine component with the lubricating oil or grease,
The polyisocyanate component is mixed with the mixture, the amine component is cured while holding the lubricating oil or grease, and the cured product is further heated to 100 to 180 ° C. to be post-cured. .

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a lubricant supply composition according to the present invention and a method for producing the same will be described in more detail.
First, the polyurea elastomer that can be used in the present invention will be described. As described above, the polyurea elastomer is obtained by reacting a polyisocyanate component with an amine component composed of a mixture of an aromatic polyamine compound and an aromatic diamine. Specifically, the following compounds are used. can do. Polyisocyanate components include 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), 1,5-naphthalenediisocyanate (NDI), and 3,3'-ditoluene-4,4'-
Diisocyanate (TODI), 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate (2,4-TDI), 2,6-tolylene diisocyanate (2,6-TDI), a mixture of 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI, 2 Dimer of 1,4-tolylene diisocyanate, polymeric MDI represented by the following chemical formula (II) (a mixture of n = 1 and n = 2)

[0012]

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Those having a phenyl group are preferable in consideration of heat resistance. Further, in order to carry out a more uniform reaction with an amine component described later, it is not preferable that the solid be formed at room temperature. In that case, a mixture is formed by combining with a liquid at room temperature to form a liquid at room temperature. use.

As the aromatic polyamine compound represented by the formula (I), for example, the following compounds can be mentioned.

[0015]

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[0016]

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Particularly, considering the heat resistance of the obtained polyurea elastomer, polytetramethylene glycol bis (2-aminobenzoate) and polytetramethylene glycol bis (4-aminobenzoate)
Is preferred.

As the aromatic diamine compound, 4,4 '
-Methylenebis (2-chloroaniline), 4,4'-methylenebisaniline, 4,4'methylenebis (2,3-
Dichloroaniline), 4,4'-methylenebis (2,5
-Dichloroaniline), 4,4'-methylenebis (2-
Methylaniline), 4,4'-methylenebis (2-ethylaniline), 4,4'-methylenebis (2-isopropylaniline), 4,4'-methylenebis (2,6-dimethylaniline), 4,4'- Methylene bis (2,6-
Diethylaniline), 4,4'-methylenebis (2-ethyl-6-methylaniline), 4,4'-methylenebis (2-chloro-6-methylaniline), 4,4'-methylenebis (2-chloro-6 -Ethylaniline), 4,
Diaminodiphenylmethanes such as 4'-methylenebis (3-chloro-2,6-diethylaniline), 4,4'-methylenebis (2-trifluoromethylaniline), and 4,4'-methylenebis (2-methoxycarbonylaniline) Can be used.

The proportion of the aromatic polyamine compound and the aromatic diamine in the amine component is such that the amount of the aromatic diamine is 5 to 50% by weight, preferably 10 to 40% by weight, based on the total amount of the amine component. When the amount of the aromatic diamine is more than 50% by weight, the mixed solution is difficult to maintain a liquid state, the uniformity of the polyurea elastomer after the reaction is lost, and the amount of the aromatic diamine having high reactivity is increased. Life shortens and workability deteriorates.
Further, in the lubricant supply composition of the present invention, the soft segment portion which seems to hold the lubricant is reduced, and it becomes difficult to hold a large amount of the lubricant. On the other hand, if the amount of the aromatic diamine is less than 5% by weight, the mechanical strength such as the hardness of the polyurea elastomer after the reaction is low, and the reactivity is too slow to be practical.

In the present invention, the ratio between the above-mentioned polyisocyanate component and the amine component is represented by “mol number of amine component (number of amino groups) / mol number of polyisocyanate component (number of isocyanate groups)”. The NCO index to be obtained is preferably in the range of 0.9 to 1.2, particularly 1.0 to 1.1. Outside these ranges, a polyurea elastomer having sufficient physical properties is not obtained.

The lubricating oil that can be used in the present invention must have compatibility with the above-mentioned amine component. If a lubricating oil that is not compatible with the amine component is used, the lubricating oil is separated from the beginning of mixing, so even if the polyisocyanate component is added and reacted, only the polyurea elastomer is generated while being separated. It is not possible to obtain an intended lubricant supply composition that retains and supplies lubricating oil to a member to be lubricated over time. When grease is used instead of lubricating oil, it is difficult to separate compared to lubricating oil, so even if the base oil and the amine component are not compatible, they may appear to be mixed. However, when the polyisocyanate component is added and reacted, it is separated. Although the lubricating oil can be mixed with the polyisocyanate component, it is not practical because it easily reacts with moisture in the air. In addition, the polyisocyanate component has no oil retaining ability, and considering the oil retaining property of the product after the reaction, it is considered that it is more effective to mix it with the amine component.

Specific lubricating oils compatible with the amine component include the following tetraphenyl ethers:

[0023]

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Polyphenyl ether oils such as pentaphenyl ether, dioctyl sebacate, dioctyl phthalate, trioctyl trimellitate, triisodecyl trimellitate, pentaerythritol tetraester;
Ester oils such as dipentaerythritol hexaester, polyalkylene glycol oils and the like can be used. However, it is necessary that no OH groups remain in the structure. OH
If the group remains, it reacts with the polyisocyanate to form a urethane bond, making it impossible to obtain a target polyurea elastomer-based lubricant supply composition.

When grease is used, the above-mentioned lubricating oil is used as a base oil, and Li soap, a urea compound or the like is blended as a thickener to produce grease. It is preferable to use grease because the state before the reaction is semi-solid, so that it is easy to fill a bearing or the like.

Further, as a base oil for lubricating oil and grease,
A mixture of a lubricating oil having a high polarity as described above and a low-polarity lubricating oil such as a mineral oil, a dialkyldiphenyl ether oil, or a poly-α-olefin oil may be used. Their mixing amount is not more than 30% by weight of the total oil amount, and if mixed more, the compatibility with the amine component deteriorates, which is not preferable.

Lubricating oil or grease (hereinafter “lubricating agent”)
Collectively. ) And the polyurea elastomer are preferably such that the lubricant is 40 to 80% by weight and 50 to 70% by weight in the lubricant supply composition. If the amount of the lubricant is less than 40% by weight, the amount of the supplied lubricant decreases, and the lubricant supply capability is lost at an early stage. On the other hand, if it exceeds 80% by weight, it is difficult to obtain a predetermined mechanical strength because the amount of the polyurea elastomer constituting the lubricant supply composition is too small.

The lubricant supply composition of the present invention contains additives such as an antioxidant, an ultraviolet absorber, and a hydrolysis inhibitor to prevent various deteriorations, glass fibers, potassium titanate whiskers, and aluminum borate. A reinforcing material such as a whisker or a solid lubricant such as PTFE or MoS ₂ may be added.

In the lubricant supply composition of the present invention, the amine component and the lubricant are uniformly mixed, and then the mixture is mixed with a polyisocyanate component to be cured while the amine component holds the lubricant. Further, the cured product is heated to 100 to 180 ° C.
It is manufactured by heating and post-curing. The post-curing temperature is preferably 150 ° C. or lower in consideration of the deterioration of the lubricant, and it is sufficient to perform the post-curing for about 1 to 3 hours. This post-curing improves the shape retention performance of the lubricant supply composition.

Specific examples of application of the lubricant supply composition of the present invention include a filler instead of grease for a rolling bearing, a member which also serves as a seal sandwiched between a side seal of a linear guide device and a slider body, Alternatively, there is a member (FIG. 3) attached to the end face of the ball screw. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described.

(First Embodiment: Rolling Bearing) As shown in FIG. 1 as a radial sectional view, a rolling bearing includes a plurality of rolling elements 4 between an inner ring 1 and an outer ring 2 via a retainer 3.
Is held so that it can roll freely. Then, in the present invention, the above-described lubricant supply composition 5 is filled into a space formed by the inner ring 1, the outer ring 2, the retainer 3, and the rolling elements 4, which is conventionally filled with grease or the like. The filling method is not particularly limited, and the lubricant supply composition 5 may be injected using a grease gun, and the lubricant supply composition 5 may be cured by leaving or heating, or the assembled rolling bearing may be used. By heating while immersed in the lubricant supply composition 5, it is possible to cure the lubricant supply composition 5 in a state where the lubricant supply composition 5 is spread without gaps in the space.

The filling structure of the lubricant supply composition 5 into the rolling bearing is not limited to the structure shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the space (recess) between the rolling elements 4 of the cage 3 can be filled with the lubricant supply composition 5. Further, the rolling bearing of the present example includes a seal member 6. The filling method is, for example, using a grease gun, injecting the lubricant supply composition 5 into the recess with one side facing up, allowing the lubricant to cure by leaving or heating, and then similarly applying the lubricant supply composition to the opposite side. 5 is injected and cured. Then, after curing is completed, the seal members 6 and 6 are attached to both immediate end portions of the outer race. 2A is a sectional view in the radial direction, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view of the sealing member 6 shown in FIG.
It is a side view which shows in the state which removed. Reference numeral 7 denotes a rivet for connecting the pair of retainers 3 in a ring shape. Each of the rolling bearings configured as described above is provided with a lubricant supply composition 5
The lubricant held inside gradually oozes out and is supplied to the inner ring 1, the outer ring 2, the retainer 3 and the rolling elements 4.

(Second Embodiment: Linear Guide Apparatus) As shown in FIG. 3, a linear guide has rolling element rolling grooves 1 on its outer surface.
Guide rail 10 extending in the axial direction with 3A, 13B
And a slider 20 assembled so as to straddle the guide rail 10. The slider 20 includes a slider body 20A and end caps 2 attached to both ends thereof.
0B, the slider body 20A has load rolling element rolling grooves (not shown) on the inner side surfaces of both sleeves, which face the rolling element rolling grooves 13A and 13B of the guide rail 10,
It has a rolling element return path that penetrates the thick portion of the sleeve in the axial direction. The end cap 20B is connected to the slider body 20A.
The rolling element rolling groove and the rolling element return path parallel to the rolling element return groove have a curved path (not shown). The rolling element rolling groove, the rolling element return path, and the curved path at both ends are used for the rolling element. A circulation circuit is formed. Many rolling elements made of, for example, steel balls are loaded in the rolling element circulation circuit. still,
In the figure, reference numeral 27 denotes a grease nipple.

The end cap 20B is an injection-molded product made of a synthetic resin and has a substantially U-shaped cross section. As shown in FIG. 4, which is a perspective view showing the assembled state of the end of the slider 20, the reinforcing plate 21 and the lubricating plate are provided on the outer surfaces of both end caps 20B in order from the side closer to the end cap 20B. The agent supply member 22 and the side seal 23 are fixed in an overlapping state.
The reinforcing plate 21 is a substantially U-shaped steel plate adapted to the outer shape of the end cap 20B, and has through holes 21a and 21b through which the mounting screws 26 are formed. A through-hole 21c for a grease nipple is formed in the connecting portion to be connected. The reinforcing plate 21 is not in contact with the guide rail 10. The side seal 23 includes a substantially U-shaped steel plate conforming to the outer shape of the end cap 20B, and a nitrile rubber having a shape similar to the steel plate and integrally formed on the outer surface thereof. . The lip portion L of the side seal 23 that comes into contact with the guide rail 10 has an inner surface guided along the cross-sectional shape of the guide rail 10 so that a gap between the slider 20 and the guide rail 10 can be sealed. The rail 10 is formed in a shape capable of slidingly contacting the upper surface 10a and the outer surface 10b, and the rolling element rolling grooves 13A and 13B. The side seal 23 is also provided with through holes 23a and 23 for mounting screw penetration and a through hole 23c for grease nipple.

The lubricant supply member 22 sandwiched between the reinforcing plate 21 and the side seals 23
As shown in FIG. 5, the end cap 20B is formed in a substantially U-shape in accordance with the outer shape, and the inner surface of the U-shape is formed along the upper surface 10a and the side surface 10b of the guide rail 10, and The projections 22a and 22b corresponding to the upper rolling element rolling groove 13B and the lower projections 22c and 22d corresponding to the lower rolling element rolling groove 13A are formed on the guide rail 10 so that the outer shape of the cross section of the guide rail 10 is obtained. Be consistent. Further, the lubricant supply member 22 is formed with 22e and 22f for penetrating the mounting screw and a through hole 22g for the grease nipple. In the present invention, the lubricant supply member 22 is formed of a lubricant supply composition, and the lubricant held therein is supplied to the contact surface with the guide rail 10. 4 and 5, reference numeral 25a
-25c are ring-shaped sleeve members.

(Third Embodiment: Ball Screw Apparatus) As shown in FIG. 6, the ball screw apparatus is arranged so that a ball nut 30 includes a screw shaft 31.
Between the screw groove 30a formed on the inner circumference of the screw shaft and the screw groove 31b formed on the outer circumference of the screw shaft 31 opposed thereto.
A plurality of balls 32 are arranged so as to roll freely. A cylindrical seal cap 34 is attached to one end (right end in the drawing) of the ball nut 30 via a lubricant supply member 33 by a bolt 35. Sleeves 36 are respectively interposed on the outer periphery of the shaft of the bolt 35. A labyrinth seal 37 is attached to the end of the seal cap 34 to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering through the space between the screw shaft 31 and the seal cap 34. The lubricant supply member 33 is made of the lubricant supply composition of the present invention,
A narrow groove 33a is formed on the outer periphery of the screw shaft 3 at a constant pressure by a garter spring 38 disposed therein.
1 is pressed in the radial direction toward the outer periphery. Therefore, even if the inner peripheral surface of the lubricant supply member 33 is worn due to, for example, long-term operation, appropriate contact with the screw shaft 31 is always maintained, and good lubrication is ensured.

[0037]

The following examples are provided to further clarify the lubricant supply composition of the present invention. [Compatibility and Curing Test] As shown in Table 1, an amine component [R-110A, Ihara Chemical Industry Co., Ltd .: 90 wt% of polytetramethylene glycol bis (4-aminobenzoate) and 10 wt. , 4'-methylenebis (2-chloroaniline) 10% by weight] and mixed well, and the compatibility was examined. Thereafter, a polyisocyanate component [R-110B, Ihara Chemical Industry Co., Ltd .: 4,4 '
1.7 g (corresponding to an NCO index of 1.02) of a mixture of diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and polymeric MDI (NCO content: 29% by weight) was added, and the mixture was thoroughly mixed and cured. The results of the compatibility and cure tests are shown in the table. Compatibility and cured state
It was evaluated visually.

[0038]

[Table 1]

Then, a lubricant supply composition was prepared according to the method of the present invention for a combination using pentaerythritol tetraester-urea grease as a lubricant, which had good compatibility and a good cured state. That is, 29.85% by weight of an amine component composed of the above-mentioned [R-110A, Ihara Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.] and pentaerythritol tetraester-urea grease [ENS grease,
Nippon Oil Co., Ltd.] at room temperature
To this mixture, 10.15% by weight of a polyisocyanate component composed of the above [R-110B, Ihara Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.] was added and mixed. Then, the mixture was filled in a mold, allowed to stand, and cured. Then, 150 ° C for each mold
For 3 hours. The obtained lubricant supply composition had a lubricant oozed out.

[0040]

As described above, in the lubricant supply composition based on the polyurea elastomer of the present invention, since the polyurea elastomer is a thermosetting resin, it cannot be softened by temperature like a thermoplastic resin. And it has a low coefficient of expansion, so that it can be used at higher temperatures. Specifically, while the polyethylene-based material had a maximum use temperature of about 80 ° C., it was 100 ° C. to 1 ° C.
It can be used at a high temperature of 20 ° C. Further, it has become possible to contain a highly polar lubricating oil such as an ester oil or a grease thereof, which has been difficult to be contained alone by now, as a lubricant. In addition, during production,
All that is required is to perform mixing and heating at a predetermined temperature.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an embodiment in which a lubricant supply composition of the present invention is applied to a rolling bearing.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part showing another embodiment in which the lubricant supply composition of the present invention is applied to a rolling bearing, and FIG.
Is a sectional view in the radial direction, and FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which the lubricant supply composition of the present invention is applied to a linear guide device.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a configuration of a slider including a lubricant supply member in the linear guide device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lubricant supply member shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an embodiment in which the lubricant supply composition of the present invention is applied to a ball screw device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inner ring 2 Outer ring 3 Cage 4 Roller 5 Lubricant supply composition 10 Guide rail 20 Slider 21 Reinforcement plate 22 Lubricant supply member (Lubricant supply composition) 23 Side seal 30 Ball nut 31 Screw shaft 32 Ball 33 Lubricant Supply member (lubricant supply composition)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An aromatic polyamine compound containing a polyisocyanate component and a soft segment in a molecular chain represented by the following chemical formula (I): (Wherein A represents a soft segment and has an average molecular weight of 2
It is a polyalkylene ether of 00 or more. ) And an amine component comprising a mixture of an aromatic diamine, and a polyurea elastomer obtained by curing with a lubricating oil having compatibility with the amine component or a grease containing the lubricating oil as a base oil. A lubricant supply composition comprising: 2. After mixing the amine component and the lubricating oil or grease, the mixture is mixed with the polyisocyanate component, and the amine component is cured while holding the lubricating oil or grease, The method for producing a lubricant supply composition according to claim 1, wherein the cured product is further heated to 100 to 180C to be post-cured.