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Fluoroclean™ Vacuum Grease Solvents - HE |
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Fluoroclean™ Vacuum Grease Solvents - X100 |
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Fluorosolv® PFS-1 Vacuum Grease Solvent |
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Vacseal® Vacuum Leak Sealant |
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Vacuum Pump Fluids |
SPI Supplies brings you only the highest quality in high vacuum greases. We have tried to provide you with information to make an informed decision as to which high vacuum grease will meet your requirements. Tell us if you have a high vacuum grease requirement that is not being covered, perhaps we can help you anyhow!
When applying any high vacuum grease that comes in contact with an "O" ring, caution in the selection of the grease is in order. Not only are the vacuum characteristics with regard to off-gassing important, but so is the compatibility of the grease with the affected "O" ring. The grease must be compatible with the material composition of the "O" ring. Whenever possible you should know what kind of "O" rings you are using.
Always keep in mind system compatibility when selecting a vacuum grease. There should be compatibility between the fluid being used in a diffusion pump the grease used on "O" rings. If using a Fomblin® fluid in the diffusion pump, use one of the fluoropolymer based vacuum greases (Such as VAC3® or Braycote®). If Santovac® 5 is being used in the diffusion pump we recommend the selection of Santovac 5 Vacuum Grease.
When it comes to "O" rings fluoropolymer based elastomers compatible with the three broad classes of greases namely, hydrocarbon, silicone, and perfluorinated polyether/PTFE based greases. Other synthetic elastomers are usually, but not always, compatible with hydrocarbon greases except EPDM. Silicone greases are also generally compatible with most synthetic elastomers except silicone and fluorinated silicone (fluorosilicone) rubbers. It is important to take into consideration the chemistry of the pump fluid used if a diffusion pumped system and not just the composition of the "O" rings. A compromise in order to achieve other specific characteristics such as inertness of the grease, or use at cryogenic temperatures.
We can offer guidance but it is up to the end user to make the final determination to make sure the lubricant selected will be compatible with the "O" ring material.
For electron microscope applications, the use of silicone should be avoided. Hydrocarbon and fluoro-based lubricants are preferred. These lubricants also have important applications for use on electrical contacts, and again, like with other applications, one has to understand the trade offs between the different types of grease systems.
Some greases are exposed to extreme environments such as LOX, which require the inertness of the Braycote or Fomblin greases. In other instances the environment dictates that lubricants be halogen free, suggesting one of the hydrocarbon based greases.
These same greases, in many instances find some applications in areas completely outside of vacuum applications. For example, greases are often times used to coat electrical contacts and are used to keep laboratory glass ware joints from "seizing" or "freezing".
There are some who believe that "everything leaks". We think they are right. Those selecting a high quality vacuum grease do so with the hope that they can reduce leak rates associated with o ring and other vacuum connections. Some leaks can not be helped with a vacuum grease but what is needed is a high quality high vacuum leak sealant, and for that we recommend Vacseal® high vacuum leak sealants. If you have the responsibility for keeping an important high vacuum or UHV system up and running 24/7, be sure to keep on the shelf Vacseal® or Seal-Vac™ high vacuum leak sealants for when you get that unanticipated leak so that the equipment can operate and experiments can continue without interruption until replacement parts are procured and installed.
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