Fomblin® PFPE for Oxygen Service: High-Performance Lubricants for Oxygen-Rich Environments

Fomblin® PFPE for Oxygen Service: High-Performance Lubricants for Oxygen-Rich Environments

The ongoing advancements in chemical, metallurgical, satellite communication, and electronics industries have increased the demand for pure oxygen and other highly reactive substances. Because it is challenging to find lubricants that are fully compatible with oxygen and aggressive chemicals, new technological solutions have been required.

For many years, manufacturers and users in the chemical and metallurgical sectors have relied on Fomblin® PFPE, achieving outstanding technical performance, economic efficiency, and significantly improved safety conditions. Today, these advantages are expanding many additional fields, where the safety, compatibility, and long-term stability of the lubricant allow researchers and engineers to concentrate on other critical challenges.

Why Lubricants for Oxygen Service Must Be Special

Oxygen-enriched systems pose a high risk of ignition if incompatible oils or greases are used. Traditional hydrocarbons can react violently when exposed to pure oxygen or high-pressure gas conditions. Fomblin® PFPE solves this challenge by offering:

• Complete chemical inertness

• Non-flammability even under high oxygen pressure

• Resistance to oxidation and thermal degradation

Key Benefits of Fomblin® PFPE in Oxygen Environments

• Oxygen Compatibility: Meets the strictest industry standards for oxygen service, including ASTM and ISO requirements.

• Thermal Stability: Performs reliably at extreme temperatures, very low to high heat conditions.

• Long Service Life: Reduces maintenance frequency thanks to its exceptional resistance to aging.

• Non-Toxic & Clean: Leaves minimal residue and is ideal for high-purity applications.

Typical Applications

Fomblin® PFPE is widely used in industries where safety and purity are critical:

• Medical oxygen equipment

• Aerospace and space-flight systems

• Semiconductor manufacturing

• High-pressure valves, seals, and regulators

• Gas processing and oxygen distribution systems

Fomblin® LC 200

Fomblin® LC is a specialized PFPE fluid designed for safe oxygen handling and for lubricating oxygen pumps and compressors. Although only one standard grade of Fomblin® LC is currently available, Syensqo’s highly adaptable manufacturing process allows the development of tailor-made grades to meet specific application needs.

Fomblin® LC perfluoropolyether fluids offer several distinctive advantages

• Excellent wear resistance

• Strong low-temperature performance

• Cost-effective operation

• Ideal for applications that require low viscosity

Fomblin® Y-LOX 120 for liquid compressor and vacuum applications

Fomblin® Y-LOX 120 perfluoropolyether is a high performance lubricant designed specifically for liquid compressor and vacuum applications. The characteristics of Y-LOX 120 include outstanding chemical stability, thermal stability and lubrication properties.

These characteristics make Fomblin® Y-LOX 120 especially suitable as a base oil lubricant for high performance mechanical lubrication applications in harsh environmental conditions.