Lubricants That Perform Safely in Oxygen Environments
Conventional mineral oil and synthetic lubricants are not compatible with reactive gases like oxygen or other oxidizing chemicals. Many of these lubricants can self-ignite under high compression if they come in contact with oxygen-rich atmospheres, causing extremely dangerous situations.
In contrast, Krytox™ oils and greases are nonflammable, chemically inert, thermally stable, and safe for use in all areas of oxygen service. These properties have made Krytox™ the lubricant of choice for oxygen and reactive gas service for more than 40 years.
Krytox™ performance lubricants offer a wide range of products that provide excellent lubricity at low- and high-temperature extremes. Because of this, Krytox™ lubricants are used in applications within oxygen services that span industries such as:
- Electronics
- Chemical processing
- Aerospace
- Energy
- Medical
Meeting the Most Demanding Application Requirements
Different grades of Krytox™ oils and greases conform to the lubrication requirements for oxygen and compressed gas operations.
They are particularly well-suited for applications with challenging operating conditions. As such, Krytox™ performance lubricants have been tested by the West German Federal Institute for Materials Testing (BAM) and approved for use in:
- Oxygen service in the aerospace industry, including NASA and the military
- Cryogenic pumps used by leading manufacturers, including Cryostar, Cryomec, Estritio, Cosmodyne, and APD
- Cryogenic blowers, bearings, compressors, connecting rods, fittings, O-rings, and other mechanical components
- Vacuum pump fluids in oxygen service equipment from major suppliers such as BOC Edwards, Leybold, and Ebara
- Oxygen equipment used in industrial, medical, and recreational applications (e.g., scuba diving)
Features and Benefits
The wide range of chemically inert Krytox™ oils and greases used in oxygen systems improve the safety and reduce the complexity of oxygen systems.
Benefits of using Krytox™ performance lubricants include:
- 100% compatibility with oxygen
- Excellent lubricity, leading to extended equipment life compared to alternatives
- Complete nonflammability, which may eliminate the need for auxiliary systems designed to prevent fire and explosion
- Safety when used with other oxidizing chemicals such as fluorine, chlorine, and bromine
