| abstract |
The invention pertains to oil soluble copolymers derived from ethylene and 1-butene which have a number average molecular weight between about 1,500 and 7,500, at least about 30 percent of all polymer chains terminated with ethylvinylidene groups, and ethylene-derived content of not greater than about 50 weight percent, and which form solutions in mineral oil free of polymer aggregates, as determined by light scattering measurements. Lubricating oil additives, particularly dispersants, produced by the functionalization and derivatization of these copolymers have enhanced performance (e.g., improved dispersancy and pour point) in lubricating oil compositions, attributable in part to the combination of properties characterizing the copolymers. |