EP3018192B1

EP3018192B1 - Biodegradable grease composition for aerogenerator

Info

Publication number: EP3018192B1
Application number: EP15192511.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hiroki Iwamatsu; Takehito INADA
Original assignee: Nippon Grease Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nippon Grease Co Ltd
Priority date: 2014-11-05
Filing date: 2015-11-02
Publication date: 2022-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-02
Also published as: CN105567386A; ES2904491T3; DK3018192T3; JP6348050B2; CN105567386B; EP3018192A1; JP2016089040A

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a biodegradable grease composition for an aerogenerator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, protection of the global environment has been a problem to be solved in all industries. The environment under which a grease composition is used is mostly a closed system and thus an effect on a natural environment is considered to be small. However, for unintended outflow into a natural world due to an accident or leakage, biodegradability is desired also for a grease composition used under a natural environment.
An aerogenerator is installed outside on the land or the sea and in case a grease composition used for an aerogenerator is leaked and released to a natural environment, a water quality or soil may be contaminated. Therefore biodegradability is desired also for a grease composition for an aerogenerator.
General aerogenerators consist of a blade (vane), tower (supporting column) and nacelle (body for generating electric power) and a grease composition is used for a spindle supporting bearing which rotates a blade by being subjected to wind power, a blade bearing used in a pitch revolving seat of the blade, a yaw rotation bearing used in a yaw rotation seat of the nacelle and the like.
The spindle supporting bearing, blade bearing and yaw rotation bearing as noted above are constantly subjected to micro-oscillation due to a change in a wind orientation or strength and a control of the blade or nacelle, and are in an environment in which abrasion or corrosion (fretting) easily arises. Therefore excellent fretting resistance is required for a grease composition for an aerogenerator.
In JP 2011-084646 A , there is disclosed a grease composition for bearings used in aerogenerators, comprising a base oil which has a kinematic viscosity of 10 to 70 mm²/s at 40°C and a pour point of -40°C or less, and a diurea compound as a thickener. However, biodegradability, fretting resistance and the like of a grease composition are not considered.
In JP 2008-208240 A , there is disclosed a biodegradable grease composition which can obtain biodegradability and extreme pressure property at low temperature by using a base oil comprising not less than 70% by mass of at least one selected from a polyol ester and a complex ester based on the whole amount of the base oil and having a kinematic viscosity at 40°C of 1 to 200 mm²/s. However, fretting resistance, the use in an aerogenerator and the like are not considered.
US2014193110 (A1 ) provides a grease composition decreasing the load sensitivity to a running torque, maintaining necessary performances for a wheel supporting rolling bearing unit, and maintaining a good lubricated condition for a long time, and, a wheel supporting rolling bearing unit having the grease composition packed therein. The grease composition contains base oil, thickeners, rust inhibitors, and anti-wear agents, the base oil contains mineral oil, synthetic oil or blend oil of the mineral oil and the synthetic oil, a mix ratio (mass ratio) of the mineral oil and the synthetic oil is 0:100 to 20:80, a kinematic viscosity of the base oil at a temperature of 40°C is 70 to 150 mm²/s, and a pour point of the base oil is equal to or lower than -40°C. The wheel supporting rolling bearing unit is packed with this grease composition.
US2007072777 (A1 ) discloses a grease composition for a pivot assembly bearing including a thickener of 5 to 25% by mass and a base oil of 95 to 75% by mass with respect to the total mass of the thickener and the base oil. Two or more ureas selected from: urea A: a urea comprising diurea compounds having an aliphatic (ALA)/alicyclic (ACA) substituent; urea B: a urea comprising diurea compounds having an alicyclic (ACA)/aromatic (ARA) substituent; and urea C: a urea comprising diurea compounds having an aromatic (ARA)/aliphatic (ALA) substituent are used as the thickener. A poly alpha-olefin mixture having a kinematic viscosity at 40°C of 40 to 70 mm²/s prepared by mixing poly alpha-olefin having a kinematic viscosity at 40°C of 350 to 450 mm²/s with poly alpha-olefin having a kinematic viscosity at 40°C of 25 to 40 mm²/s in a mass ratio of 15:85 to 30:70 is used as a base oil. A lead free additive may be used as an additive.
JP2003306687 (A ) provides a biodegradable grease composition being produced by compounding a base oil containing a polyol ester oil in an amount of ≥60 mass% based on the total grease and having a kinetic viscosity of 25-50 mm²/s at 40°C with a diurea compound of general formula (1) of JP2003306687 (A ) as a thickening agent in an amount of 10-25 mass% based on the total grease and phenothiazine or a phenothiazine derivative as an antioxidant in an amount of 0.2-10 mass% based on the total grease.
US2003176298 (A1 ) mentions a grease composition being produced by mixing a thickener of a calcium sulfonate complex and a second thickener component (polyurea, a metallic soap, a complex metallic soap or an N-substituted terephthalamic acid metal salt) into a base oil. This grease composition is excellent in heat resistance, load carrying capacity, water resistance and lubricating life. Moreover, a grease composition is produced by mixing a thickener of an N-substituted terephthalamic acid metal salt and a second thickener component (polyurea, a metallic soap or a complex metallic soap) into a base oil. This grease composition is excellent in heat resistance, oxidation stability and lubricating life. Furthermore, a grease composition is produced by mixing a thickener of 10 to 90% by mass of polyurea and 90 to 10% by mass of a complex metallic soap into an ester oil having a kinematic viscosity at 40°C of 20 to 180 mm²/s.
EP2829593 (A1 ) discloses a grease composition, which is excellent in seizure resistance without deteriorating resistance to stirring in the rolling device, and a rolling device, in which the grease composition intervenes to a predetermined portion is also disclosed by use of a grease composition comprising a base oil and a thickener, the thickener being a diurea compound obtained by allowing an amine mixture comprising alkylphenylamine, an alkyl group of which has 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and cyclohexylamine, to react with a diisocyanate compound, the amount of cyclohexylamine in the amine mixture being 80% by mole or more and less than 91 % by mole, and a worked penetration being 300 to 330.
US2013331306 (A1 ) provides a grease composition for a rolling bearing for a motor to support a rotor of the motor, containing a pentaerythritol ester base oil with a kinematic viscosity at 40°C of 20 to 55 mm²/s; 7 to 13 mass % of a diurea thickener represented by formula (A) where each R group is defined; and a rust inhibitor mixture selected from the group consisting of polyol ester type rust inhibitors and organic sulfonate type rust inhibitors. The grease composition can prevent a peculiar noise from being produced at low temperatures, satisfy the low torque performance over a wide temperature range, extend the bearing lubrication life even under the circumstances of high temperature, and exhibit excellent rust inhibiting effect on varnish.
US2004242439 (A1 ) describes a rolling bearing, for use in household appliances, having a high degree of quietness, an excellent durability at high temperatures and rotational speeds, a low torque, and excellent fretting property; and a lubricant composition which can be sealed into the rolling bearing. The lubricant composition includes a base oil and a thickening agent. The base oil is a mixed oil having the following characteristics of (a) to (c): (a) The base oil consists essentially of a synthetic hydrocarbon oil and an ester oil; (b) A kinematic viscosity of the mixed oil at 40°C is 40 to 70 mm²/second; (c) A mixing weight ratio between the ester oil of the mixed oil and the synthetic hydrocarbon oil thereof is 30:70 to 70:30. The thickening agent comprises a diurea compound shown by a formula (1): where R1 and R3 are a straight-chain alkyl groups having 9 to 22 carbon atoms respectively, and R2 is an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 15 carbon atoms. The lubricant composition is sealed into the rolling bearing.
CN1940039 (A ) discloses a grease composition for pivot assembly bearing and bearing for pivot assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a biodegradable grease composition which is excellent in fretting resistance, extreme pressure property, low temperature property, and biodegradability as well, and has a small effect to the environment even if released to a natural environment.
The present invention relates to a biodegradable grease composition for an aerogenerator comprising a base oil composed of an ester oil having a kinematic viscosity at 40°C of 60 to 160 mm²/s and a thickener composed of a diurea compound obtained by allowing an amine mixture comprising a 4-8C alicyclic monoamine and a 20-24C aliphatic monoamine to react with a diisocyanate compound, wherein a content molar ratio of the alicyclic monoamine and the aliphatic monoamine in the amine mixture is 7:3 to 9:1, the content of the thickener in a total amount of the base oil and the thickener is 7 to 11% by mass and a penetration of the biodegradable grease composition is 265 to 340.
It is preferable that a molar ratio of the alicyclic monoamine and the aliphatic monoamine in the amine mixture is 8:2 to 9:1.
It is preferable that the alicyclic monoamine has 6 carbon atoms and the aliphatic monoamine has 22 carbon atoms.
It is further preferable that the biodegradable grease composition for an aerogenerator comprises a phosphorus-based antiwear agent.
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a biodegradable grease composition for an aerogenerator which is excellent in fretting resistance, extreme pressure property, low temperature property, and biodegradability as well, and has a small effect to the environment even if released to a natural environment, by using a biodegradable grease composition comprising a base oil composed of an ester oil having a kinematic viscosity at 40°C within a predetermined range and a thickener composed of a predetermined diurea compound.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The biodegradable grease composition of the present invention is a biodegradable grease composition. Biodegradability refers to a nature of dissolving an organic substance by bacteria into carbon dioxide and water and into an inorganic compound, and ones having this nature are expressed as having biodegradability. Ease of microbial treatment is an index of biodegradability and as for a biodegradable grease composition, generally, a grease composition indicating a biodegradation degree of not less than 60% in a biodegradation degree test in accordance with an OECD method is regarded as a biodegradable grease composition and the same also applies herein.

Base oil

Biodegradability of a grease composition largely depends on a base oil that is a main component of the biodegradable grease composition. In the present invention, for a biodegradable base oil, an ester oil chemically synthesized using natural fat, which can achieve both biodegradability and performance as a grease composition, as a raw material is used.
The ester oil is not limited particularly as long as it has biodegradability and has a kinematic viscosity at 40°C of 60 to 160 mm²/s and examples thereof include a fat acid ester, and a polyol ester, pentaerythritol tetraester and diester of a fatty acid and the like, and among these, a fatty acid ester is particularly preferable since biodegradability thereof is satisfactory.
A kinematic viscosity at 40°C of the base oil according to the present invention is not less than 60 mm²/s, preferably not less than 71 mm²/s, further preferably not less than 100 mm²/s. If the kinematic viscosity is less than 60 mm²/s, there is a tendency that extreme pressure property is deteriorated and an oil film becomes thinner. On the other hand, the kinematic viscosity at 40°C of the base oil is not more than 160 mm²/s, preferably not more than 150 mm²/s, further preferably not more than 120 mm²/s. If the kinematic viscosity exceeds 160 mm²/s, there is a tendency that fretting resistance and flowability are deteriorated.
The content of the base oil is preferably not less than 89% by mass, more preferably not less than 90% by mass based on the total content of the base oil and the thickener. If the content of the base oil is less than 89% by mass, there is a tendency that the grease composition becomes difficult to be biodegradable and low temperature property is deteriorated. On the other hand, the content of the base oil is preferably not more than 93% by mass, more preferably not more than 91% by mass based on the total content of the base oil and the thickener. If the content of the base oil exceeds 93% by mass, there is a tendency that the biodegradable grease composition is softened and leaked.

Thickener

The thickener according to the present invention is composed of a diurea compound obtained by allowing an amine mixture comprising a 4-8C alicyclic monoamine and a 20-24C aliphatic monoamine to react with a diisocyanate compound. By using a diurea compound as a thickener, there is a tendency that an oil film becomes thicker and fretting resistance and heat resistance are improved.
The number of carbon atoms of the alicyclic monoamine is 4 to 8, preferably 5 to 7 and a cyclohexylamine having 6 carbon atoms is further preferable in view of its ease of availability. Examples of an alicyclic monoamine include cyclohexylamine, alkylcyclohexylamine and the like. Among these, cyclohexylamine is preferable since it is excellent in availability and heat resistance.
The number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monoamine is 20 to 24, preferably 21 to 23, further preferably 22. If the number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monoamine is less than 20, a thickening effect tends to decrease and an aliphatic monoamine having more than 24 carbon atoms is difficult to obtain.
A content molar ratio of the alicyclic monoamine and the aliphatic monoamine in the amine mixture (alicyclic monoamine : aliphatic monoamine) is 7:3 to 9:1, more preferably 8:2 to 9:1, most preferably 8:2. The content molar ratio of the alicyclic monoamine and the aliphatic monoamine within this range enables a grease composition for an aerogenerator which is excellent in fretting resistance, extreme pressure property and low temperature property.
Examples of the diisocyanate compound include 4,4'-diphenylmethane-diisocyanate, 2,4-trilenediisocyanate, 2,6-trilenediisocyanate and the like. Among these, 4,4'-diphenylmethane-diisocyanate is preferable for its easy availability.
The reaction of the amine mixture with the diisocyanate compound can be carried out by various methods under various conditions, and it is preferable to carry out the reaction in the base oil since a diurea compound having highly uniform dispersibility can be obtained as the thickener. For example, the reaction may be carried out by adding the base oil containing the diisocyanate compound dissolved therein to the base oil in which the amine mixture has been dissolved, or by adding the base oil, in which the amine mixture has been dissolved, to the base oil containing the diisocyanate compound dissolved therein.
The reaction temperature and time in the above-mentioned reaction are not limited particularly, and may be the same as those used in usual similar reactions. The reaction temperature is preferably from 80°C to 100°C from the viewpoint of solubility and volatility of the amine mixture and diisocyanate. The reaction time is preferably less than 0.5 hour in view of improvement of production efficiency by shortening of the production period of time and also from the viewpoint of completing the reaction of the amine mixture and diisocyanate, and alternatively, the reaction may be conducted while mixing and elevating the temperature without determining the reaction time. The reaction of an amino group of the amine mixture and an isocyanate group of the diisocyanate compound proceeds quantitatively, and a preferred ratio thereof is 1 mole of the diisocyanate compound to 2 mole of the amine mixture.
The diurea compound which is a reaction product obtained by the above-mentioned reaction is a mixture of a diurea compound comprising any of (a) a diurea compound in which both isocyanate groups of a diisocyanate compound are reacted with an alicyclic amine in the amine mixture; (b) a diurea compound in which both isocyanate groups of a diisocyanate compound are reacted with an aliphatic amine in the amine mixture; and (c) a diurea compound in which one of isocyanate groups of a diisocyanate compound is reacted with an alicyclic amine and the other is reacted with an aliphatic amine. It is noted that a diurea compound used in the present invention further include a diurea compound which is a reaction product obtained by synthesizing each of the above-mentioned diurea compounds (a) to (c) and mixing these compounds.
The content of the above thickener is not less than 7% by mass, preferably not less than 9% by mass based on the total amount of the base oil and the thickener. If the content of the thickener is less than 7% by mass, there is a tendency that the biodegradable grease composition is softened and leaked. On the other hand, the content of the thickener is not more than 11% by mass, preferably not more than 10% by mass based on the total amount of the base oil and the thickener. If the content of the thickener exceeds 11% by mass, a biodegradation rate of the biodegradable grease composition tends to decrease.

Additives

The biodegradable grease composition of the present invention may comprise various additives such as an antioxidant, an extreme pressure agent, an antiwear agent, a dye, a color stabilizer, a viscosity improver, a structure stabilizer, a metal deactivator, a viscosity index improver, a dispersing agent and a rust-preventing agent in proper amounts to such an extent not to impair the effect of the present invention. It is noted that considering an effect to the environment, it is preferable that additives comprising heavy metal are not contained. When these additives are contained in the biodegradable grease composition, the amount thereof in the biodegradable grease composition is preferably 0.5 to 10 parts by mass based on the total of 100 parts by mass of the base oil and the thickener.
Examples of the antiwear agent include methylenebis(dithiocarbamate), a sulfur-based antiwear agent, a phosphorus-based antiwear agent and the like. Among these, it is more preferable to use a phosphorus-based antiwear agent since it is excellent in antiwear property.
Specific examples of the phosphorus-based antiwear agent include zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate; phosphites represented by tributyl phosphite, trioleilphosphite and the like; phosphates represented by tricresylphosphate, dilauryl acid phosphate and the like; amine phosphates represented by phosphoric acid dibutyloctyl amine salt, phosphoric acid dilauryloctyl amine salt and the like; phosphorothionates represented by triphenyl phosphorothionate, alkylated phosphorothionate and the like; solid lubricants represented by calcium phosphate; and diphenyl hydrogen phosphites. In the present invention, commercial available phosphorus-based antiwear agents can be also used. Among these, amine phosphates are preferable since the burden on the environment is small and a specific example thereof includes Lubrizol 4320 FG manufactured by The Lubrizol Corporation and the like.
When the biodegradable grease composition comprises an antiwear agent, the content thereof based on the total of 100 parts by mass of the base oil and the thickener is preferably not less than 0.1 part by mass, more preferably 0.5 to 5 parts by mass, further preferably 1 to 3 parts by mass. If the content of the antiwear agent is less than 0.1 part by mass, an effect obtained by using the antiwear agent tends not to be obtained. On the other hand, if the content of the antiwear agent exceeds 5 parts by mass, biodegradability tends to be deteriorated.
Examples of the extreme pressure agent include a sulfur-based extreme pressure agent, a phosphorus-based extreme pressure agent and the like. Among these, it is preferable that the biodegradable grease composition comprises a sulfur-based extreme pressure agent since it can impart an extreme pressure effect in a small amount.
When the biodegradable grease composition comprises an extreme pressure agent, the content thereof based on the total of 100 parts by mass of the base oil and the thickener is preferably 0.1 to 3 parts by mass, more preferably 0.5 to 2 parts by mass. If the content of the extreme pressure agent is less than 0.1 part by mass, an effect obtained by using the extreme pressure agent tends not to be obtained. On the other hand, if the content of the extreme pressure agent exceeds 3 parts by mass, a raw material cost tends to be high.
The worked penetration of the biodegradable grease composition of the present invention is 265 to 340, preferably 270 to 320, more preferably 280 to 315. If the worked penetration exceeds 340, the biodegradable grease composition tends to be easily leaked from the inside of a bearing. On the other hand, if the worked penetration is less than 265, there is a tendency that a torque of the grease-applied parts increases and a service life is decreased because of seizure by lowering of flowability.
While the biodegradable grease composition for an aerogenerator of the present invention can be used for a spindle supporting bearing, a blade bearing, a yaw rotation bearing and the like of an aerogenerator, it is preferable to use the biodegradable grease composition of the present invention for a blade bearing of an aerogenerator since it has a low viscosity and is excellent in preventing fretting due to micro-oscillation.

EXAMPLE

In the following, while the present invention will be explained in more detail by use of Examples, the present invention is not limited thereto.
The following raw materials were used in Examples.

Base oil

Ester oil 1: Synative ES 3345 (fatty acid ester, kinematic viscosity (40°C): 112 mm²/s) manufactured by BASF Japan Ltd.
Ester oil 2: Priolube 2089 (fatty acid ester, kinematic viscosity (40°C): 46 mm²/s) manufactured by Croda Japan KK
Ester oil 3: Synative ES 3157 (fatty acid ester, kinematic viscosity (40°C): 46 mm²/s) manufactured by BASF Japan Ltd.
Ester oil 4: Synative ES 1200 (fatty acid ester, kinematic viscosity (40°C): 1200 mm²/s) manufactured by BASF Japan Ltd.
Ester oil 5: Synative ES TMP 05/320 (fatty acid ester, kinematic viscosity (40°C): 326 mm²/s) manufactured by BASF Japan Ltd.

Thickener

Diisocyanate compound

MDI: Millionate MT-F (4,4'- diphenyl methane diisocyanate, molecular weight: 250.25) manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane Industry Co., Ltd.

Amine

Behenylamine: Amine VB-S (22C aliphatic amine, molecular weight: 325.62) manufactured by NOF CORPORATION
Stearylamine: Amine HT flake (18C aliphatic amine, molecular weight: 269.51) manufactured by LION SPECIALITY CHEMICALS CO., LTD. Cyclohexylamine: CHA (6C alicyclic amine, molecular weight: 99.17) manufactured by New Japan Chemical Co., Ltd.

Additives

Extreme pressure agent: Addition RC8400 (sulfur-based white color solid lubricant) manufactured by Rhein Chemie Rheinau GmbH
Ca sulphonate: NA-SUL CA-770FG manufactured by King Industries Inc.
Rust-preventing agent 1: Alcatase T (oxazoline-based rust-preventing agent) manufactured by The Dow Chemical Company
Rust-preventing agent 2: Nonion OP-80R (sorbitan monooleate) manufactured by NOF CORPORATION
Antiwear agent: Lubirizol 4320FG (amine phosphate) manufactured by The Lubrizol Corporation

Examples and Comparative Examples

According to the formulation shown in Tables 1 and 2, grease compositions were respectively prepared. Firstly, a part of calcium sulphonate (10% by mass based on the thickener) and each of amines were added to a base oil, the mixture was maintained at 80 to 90°C, a diisocyanate compound was further added thereto, the mixture was heated to 160°C while stirring and an extreme pressure agent was further added thereto. The mixture was cooled while stirring and homogenized via a homogenizer treatment (pressure: about 300 bar) to prepare a base grease. Then, the remaining calcium sulphonate and other additives were added thereto and the mixture was stirred and defoamed to prepare respective test grease compositions. The obtained test grease compositions were subjected to the following evaluations. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

The worked penetration is a value obtained by dropping a cone mounted on a cone penetration meter into the test grease compositions under environment of 25°C, measuring a depth (mm) of 5-second invasion of the cone into the grease, and then multiplying the measured depth by 10 in accordance with JIS K2220-7.

The weld load of the test grease compositions was measured with the method of ASTM D2596 (high-speed four ball test) under the following test conditions. The larger the value of weld load is, the more excellent the extreme pressure property is. It is noted that the performance target value is 2452 N or more.

Number of revolutions: 1770 rpm
Test temperature: room temperature (25°C)
Test time: 10 seconds

<Fafnir wear volume>
The fretting resistance test was conducted in accordance with ASTM D4170 and a Fafnir wear volume (mg) was measured from a mass difference between before and after the test. The less the Fafnir wear volume is, the more excellent the fretting resistance is. It is noted that the performance target value is 1.0 mg or less.

By use of a rheometer device (ARES-RDA3 manufactured by TA Instruments Japan Inc.), a torque at starting and a torque while rotating were measured under the condition where a shear rate becomes 10s^-1 after setting a gap (0.5 mm) between a rotating upper plate and a fixed lower plate, sandwiching each grease composition between the gap, and maintaining an environment of -20°C. The less the both torque are, the more excellent the low temperature property is. It is noted that the performance target value of the torque at starting is 15 mN·m or less and the performance target value of the torque while rotating is 5 mN·m or less.

The worked penetration of each grease composition was measured after applying shearing force for two hours in accordance with ASTM D1831. The smaller the value of the worked penetration is, the more excellent the shear stability is. It is noted that the performance target value is 375 or less.

The biodegradation rate (%) of the test grease composition of Example 1 was measured in accordance with OECD 301C. Based on the biodegradation rate of Example 1, biodegradability of other Examples and Comparative Examples was calculated in the following formula. The biodegradation rate of 60% or more is represented as ○ and the biodegradation rate of less than 60% is represented as ×. $Biodegradability (%) = (biodegradation rate of Example 1) \times (\begin{array}{l} content of \\ base oil of each grease composition \end{array}) / (content of base oil of Example 1)$

Oil film forming property of each grease composition was evaluated at room temperature using an oil film thickness measuring device to which optical interferometry is applied and which is manufactured by PCS Instruments. A 3/4 inch diameter steel ball of the bearing was set at a load of 20 N on a surface of a hard glass having a diameter of about 10 cm on which each grease composition was applied in a film thickness of 1 mm, and the hard glass was rotated so that the rolling speed of the contacting raceway portion became 1.00 m/s. Then, the rolling speed was gradually decreased to 0.10 m/s in 60 seconds and the oil film thickness at which the rolling speed became 0.10 m/s was regarded as the ELH oil film thickness of each grease composition. It is noted that the performance target value is 150 nm or more.

[Table 1]

		Examples
		1	2	3	4	5	6
Compounding amount (part by mass)
Base oil
	Ester oil 1	90.92	59.03	77.56	71.48	58.44	83.08
	Ester oil 2
	Ester oil 3	-	31.89	-	18.43	31.47	-
	Ester oil 4	-	-	13.36	-	-	6.83
	Ester oil 5
	(Viscosity of base oil (40°C))	(112)	(78)	(154)	(92)	(78)	(130)
Thickener
	MDI	4.20	4.20	4.20	5.12	4.32	5.12
	Cyclohexylamine	2.68	2.68	2.68	3.64	2.40	3.64
	Behenylamine	2.20	2.20	2.20	1.33	3.37	1.33
	Stearylamine
	(Molar ratio of alicyclic amine : aliphatic amine)	(8:2)	(8:2)	(8:2)	(9:1)	(7:3)	(9:1)
	(Total amount of thickener)	(9.08)	(9.08)	(9.08)	(10.09)	(10.09)	(10.09)
	(Base oil + Thickener)	(100)	(100)	(100)	(100)	(100)	(100)
Additives
	Extreme pressure agent	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01
	Ca sulphonate	4.94	4.94	4.94	4.94	4.94	4.94
	Rust-preventing agent 1	2.02	2.02	2.02	2.02	2.02	2.02
	Rust-preventing agent 2	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01
	Antiwear agent	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01
Evaluation result
	Worked penetration	311	280	296	305	297	302
	Extreme pressure property (N)	2452	2452	2452	2452	2452	2452
	Fafnir wear volume (mg)	0.3	0.4	0.9	0.8	0.7	0.6
	Low temperature test
	(mN·m)
	Torque at starting	10.8	10.9	13.5	11.5	12.2	13.0
	Torque while rotating	3.5	3.6	4.6	3.2	3.7	4.1
	Shear stability	369	356	353	371	368	357
	Biodegradability (%)	∘	∘	∘	∘	∘	∘
	EHL oil film thickness (nm)	227	172	281	233	238	253

[Table 2]

		Comparative Examples
		1	2	3	4	5	6
Compounding amount (part by mass)
Base oil
	Ester oil 1	-	68.18	-	87.90	88.90	84.86
	Ester oil 2	90.92	-	-	-	-	-
	Ester oil 3
	Ester oil 4	-	22.73	-	-	-	-
	Ester oil 5	-	-	90.92	-	-	-
	(Viscosity of base oil (40°C))	(46)	(197)	(326)	(112)	(112)	(112)
Thickener
	MDI	4.20	4.20	4.20	5.60	5.38	6.12
	Cyclohexylamine	2.68	2.68	2.68	3.57	3.41	2.43
	Behenylamine	2.20	2.20	2.20	2.93	-	-
	Stearylamine	-	-	-	-	2.31	6.59
	(Molar ratio of alicyclic amine : aliphatic amine)	(8:2)	(8:2)	(8:2)	(8:2)	(8:2)	(5:5)
	(Total amount of thickener)	(9.08)	(9.08)	(9.08)	(12.1)	(11.1)	(15.14)
	(Base oil + Thickener)	(100)	(100)	(100)	(100)	(100)	(100)
Additives
	Extreme pressure agent	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01
	Ca sulphonate	4.94	4.94	4.94	4.94	4.94	4.94
	Rust-preventing agent 1	2.02	2.02	2.02	2.02	2.02	2.02
	Rust-preventing agent 2	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01
	Antiwear agent	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01	1.01
Evaluation result
	Worked penetration	311	295	274	300	279	310
	Extreme pressure property (N)	1961	2452	2452	2452	2452	2452
Fafnir wear volume (mg)		0.6	1.5	17.5	26.3	1.7	35.7
	Low temperature test
	(mN·m)
	Torque at starting	8.7	16.8	25.3	19.0	20.9	18.5
	Torque while rotating	2.1	6.0	6.6	4.0	3.9	3.7
	Shear stability	381	346	352	344	345	357
	Biodegradability (%)	∘	∘	∘	∘	∘	∘
	EHL oil film thickness (nm)	88	320	400	286	267	316

From the results shown in Tables 1 and 2, it is found that a grease composition comprising a base oil composed of an ester oil having a kinematic viscosity at 40°C in a predetermined range and a thickener composed of a predetermined diurea compound is a biodegradable grease composition for an aerogenerator which is excellent in fretting resistance, extreme pressure property, low temperature property, and biodegradability as well, and has a small effect to the environment even if released to a natural environment.

Claims

A biodegradable grease composition for an aerogenerator comprising
a base oil composition having a kinematic viscosity at 40°C of 60 to 160 mm²/s and

a thickener composed of a diurea compound obtained by allowing an amine mixture comprising a 4-8C alicyclic monoamine and a 20-24C aliphatic monoamine to react with a diisocyanate compound,

wherein

a content molar ratio of the alicyclic monoamine and the aliphatic monoamine in the amine mixture is 7:3 to 9:1,

the content of the thickener in a total amount of the base oil composition and the thickener is 7 to 11% by mass,

a penetration of the biodegradable grease composition is 265 to 340, as measured in accordance with JIS K2220-7,

the base oil composition is composed of ester oil, and

wherein the grease composition has a biodegradation rate of 60% or more as defined in the description and as measured according to the description, wherein the biodegradation rate is measured in accordance with OECD 301C.
The biodegradable grease composition for an aerogenerator of claim 1, wherein a molar ratio of the alicyclic monoamine and the aliphatic monoamine in the amine mixture is 8:2 to 9:1.
The biodegradable grease composition for an aerogenerator of claim 1 or 2, wherein the alicyclic monoamine has 6 carbon atoms and the aliphatic monoamine has 22 carbon atoms.
The biodegradable grease composition for an aerogenerator of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the biodegradable grease composition for an aerogenerator comprises a phosphorus-based antiwear agent.