Apiezon® M and L Ultra High and High Vacuum Greases
Technical information sheet
Introduction
Apiezon L and M greases have been specifically developed for vacuum use, but are
also extensively used for non-vacuum purposes in a variety of industrial and
scientific applications.
A cross section of the key features of these products are indicated below:
- Very high vacuum range
- Ambient temperatures
- Cryogenic applications
- Radiation resistant
- Added cushioning
- Excellent lubricants
High vacuum
Apiezon L grease has the best vapor pressure properties of all the Apiezon
products and can be used in the very high vacuum range, while M grease can be
used in high vacuum conditions. Full information on the vapor pressures of both
M and L over the working temperature range is shown below. Note that data for a
new Apiezon grease is also given. That is called type N. At the present time,
it is not a regular SPI products. Should you find it important to have, let us
know, we would be happy to process the order for you.
Cryogenic applications
Apiezon N grease has a unique position in the market and is widely recognized and
recommended as the cryogenic vacuum grease of choice.
Ambient temperatures
Apiezon L and M and N greases are generally used at ambient temperatures.
If you require a grease for use at higher temperatures, Apiezon AP 101 or
Apiezon H may be the answer. Or alternatively, the higher use temperatures
of the Braycote Micronic 803 grease
might be worthy of some consideration.
Silicone free
Being hydrocarbon based, Apiezon greases do not suffer from the problems of
"creep" or "carry over" which is traditionally associated with silicone greases.
This benefits scientific users because the risk of sample contamination and
consequently the risk of interference in analytical techniques such as infra -red
or mass spectrometry, etc. is avoided.
In industrial applications, silicone creeping can create problems in industrial
paint or metal deposition processes as trace amounts of silicone on surfaces
prevent the adherence of paint and poor or incomplete coverage results.
Trace element analysis:
Such analyses on a lot per lot basis are in general not available. However,
some years ago, the trace element analysis for Apiezon L was found to be the
following:
| Fe | 1 ppm |
| Si | 4 ppm |
| Ti | 5 ppm |
| V | 2 ppm |
All metals: Pb, Cu, Cr, Al, Ni, Ag, Sn, B, Na, P, Zn, Ca, Ba, Mg, Ti, Mo, V: Less then 1 ppm
We can not guarantee that presently manufactured Apiezon L will give the
same trace element analysis results, however in any case, we would expect
the impurity levels today to be fairly comparable to what they were in the
past. Should the presence of trace elements be a critical issue for one of
our customers, then we would suggest that they conduct their own analysis on
a tube of Apiezon L.
Radiation resistant
For a radiation resistant grease look no further than Apiezon L or M grease, as
both have built-in resistance to radiation. They are markedly better lubricants
at higher irradiation levels than other high vacuum greases like silicones,
esters or halogenated paraffins, which decompose at radiation levels of 10 Mrads
or less.
However, in the electron microscope application, the slow evolution of
hydrocarbon organics results in molecular species that will be cross-linked and
polymerized in the electron microscope column, contributing to the formation of a
layer of contamination or "varnish" on the inside of the column surfaces. Hence
in high performance electron microscope applications , the perfluorinated-type
systems based on fluorocarbon materials have the advantage since such species,
when they evaporate are inert in the presence of radiation and won't polymerize
and contribute to column contamination.
Non vacuum applications
Apiezon L and M greases have strong powers of absorption, particularly for other
hydrocarbon molecules due to their complex hydrocarbon structure and very high
molecular weight. They are frequently used as the stationary phase in gas
chromatography.
Long lasting lubrication
Apiezon L and M greases have been especially formulated to provide excellent
lubrication while maintaining an efficient gas seal and are widely used in the
manufacture and servicing of high performance vacuum pumps.
Industry approvals
Apiezon vacuum greases have gained many prestigious approvals. Apiezon L grease,
for example, is approved by the European Space Agency, Matra Marconi , NASA, and
NATO, while M grease is approved by NATO, and N grease is approved by NASA and
the US Army.
To Ask a Question or Make a Comment
To Place an Order or Request a Quote
Return to:
Thursday February 09, 2012
© Copyright 1999 - 2012. By Structure Probe, Inc.
Contacting SPI Supplies and Structure Probe, Inc.
All rights reserved.
All trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
Privacy Policy
Worldwide Distributors, Representatives, and Agents
