Degradation Studies of a Trimethylolpropane Triheptanoate Lubricant Basestock.

摘要

Experiments are described to study the thermal and oxidative degradation of a typical neopentyl-type polyol ester lubricant basestock--trimethylolpropane triheptanoate. Utilizing a rotating cylinder device for the formation of a thin fluid film (0.004 in.), the parameters of film temperature, atmosphere moisture, and atmosphere type (inert or oxidative) were investigated with the uninhibited basestock. Program objectives included elucidation of the chemical processes involved in fluid deterioration, particularly as related to the formation of deposits. Reactants and products were measured by various analytical techniques, principally gas chromatography, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. A literature search pertinent to the chemistry of synthetic, ester-base lubricants and methods of chemical analysis of such lubricants is also presented. (Author)