abstract |
A method for improving wear control in an engine or other mechanical component lubricated with a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil. The formulated oil has a composition including a lubricating oil base stock as a major component, and encapsulated boron-containing microscale particles, as a minor component. The minor component preferably contains no metal or sulfur, and preferably no phosphorus. The encapsulated boron-containing microscale particles include an encapsulating material and a boron-containing compound encapsulated by the encapsulating material. The boron-containing compound is derived from a boron powder, a boron alkoxide, a boron oxide, a boric acid, a borane, or mixtures thereof. The encapsulating material is derived from a carboxylic acid selected from an aliphatic carboxylic acid, a cycloaliphatic carboxylic acid, an aromatic carboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof. The lubricating oils are useful in internal combustion engines. |