Abstract:
Mineral or synthetic oil composition are increased in stability towards free radicals by incorporation of either (a) a minor proportion of a dihydroaromatic compound derived from an aromatic compound having at least three fused benzene rings or at least one benzene and one fused heterocyclic ring; or (b) a minor proportion of a dihydroaromatic compound derived from an aromatic compound having at least two fused benzene rings or at least one benzene and one fused heterocyclic ring together with a minor proportion of a chain transfer agent, the molar ratio of chain transfer agent to dihydroaromatic being not more than 2 to 1; the chain transfer agent is defined as a compound which may react with any free radicals in the oil by giving up a hydrogen atom being itself converted into a free radical of some stability. Suitable oils include hydrocarbon oils such as gasoline, kerosine, gas oil, diesel oil, lubricating oil or residual fuel oil, a raffinate from a solvent extraction or an aromatic extract, e.g. from a cycle oil, preferably having a viscosity-gravity constant greater than 0.85, polymerized olefines, alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons, liquid polysiloxanes and fluorocarbons, esters such as di (2-ethylhexyl) or dinonyl-sebacate or adipate and trioctyl phosphate or fatty oils such as castor oil. The dihydroaromatic preferably has the two added hydrogen atoms adjacent; examples are the dihydro derivatives of phenanthrene, anthracene, retene, chrysene, tetracene, thionaphthene, coumarone, indole and quinoline; dihydronaphthalenes may also be used in the alternative (b). Amounts of 1-30 per cent by weight based on the composition are preferred. Chain transfer agents which may be used include mercaptans of more than 8 carbon atoms such as nonyl, decyl, undecyl, n-dodecyl and t-dodecyl mercaptans; thiophenols such as thiophenols, the thiocresols and a - and b -thionaphthols, alkyl phenols, alkylated aromatic amines and highly halogenated hydrocarbons such as chloroform. Amounts of 1-30 per cent by weight may be used. Optional ingredients include antioxidants, e.g. alkyl phenols, aminophenols, amines, dialkyl sulphides and metal dialkyl dithiocarbamates; corrosion inhibitors, e.g. C16 + dicarboxylic acids and compounds containing acidic radicals close to a nitrile, nitro or nitroso group; wear reducing agents, e.g. esters of phosphorus oxygen or sulphur acids, neutral aromatic sulphur compounds of relatively high boiling point such as diaryl sulphides, diaryl or alkyl aryl disulphides and diphenol sulphides; anti-foaming agents, e.g. dimethyl silicone polymers; blooming agents; pour point depressants; viscosity improvers; and additives such as urea and thiourea derivatives, e.g. urethanes, allophanates, carbazides and carbazones, isobutylene polymers and polyesters.