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Vacuum pump oil and fluid Leybold

LEYBONOL is more than just an oil, it’s what keeps your pump going

Oil is important for the vacuum process for many reasons. It lubricates the moving parts, provides sealing and even removes contaminants from the process. High-quality oils and lubricants are vital to your vacuum pump’s performance and health. LEYBONOL is in-house engineered to ensure airtight lubrication, chemical stability, as well as the required oxidation, and heat tolerance.

Which oil is compatible with my vacuum pump?

The right oil depends on your application and pump technology.

What makes LEYBONOL vacuum pump oil special?

Uptime and reliability

Our high-quality oil help you get a high performance out of our pump. They also reduce wear and tear, extending the overall lifetime of your vacuum pump. You can keep your mind on your production process, LEYBONOL will take care of your vacuum pump.

Reduced maintenance costs

Opting for high-grade oil can also lead to reduced power consumption in the pump, ultimately resulting in cost savings on your operational expenses. LEYBONOL’s exceptional quality, directly impacts both the frequency of oil changes and the wear and tear experienced by your pump's components.

Industry-leading quality standards

LEYBONOL is compliant with REACH, DSL, NDSL, GHS and many other regulations. But we go beyond these standards to provide you with a safe and effective vacuum pump oil. All our oil are subject to frequent and rigorous testing to ensure each batch is consistent and provides the same outstanding vacuum performance.

What kind of oil does a vacuum pump use?

LEYBONOL provides you with 5 different vacuum pump oil types, each of which has its own specialties and optimal performing environments, so you have a reliable vacuum pump oil for every application.

1. Mineral oil
2. Synthetic oil – Ester
3. Synthetic oil - Polyalphaolefin (PAO)
4. Synthetic oil – PFPE
5. Diffusion pump oil
6. Special lubricants and greases

Mineral oil

Mineral oil is known for its exceptional compatibility with elastomers and resistance to hydrolysis. It is often referred to as semi-synthetic pump oil. Hydrocracked oils, on the other hand, are manufactured at high hydrogen pressures and elevated temperatures, making them largely free of aromatic compounds and olefins.

These oils offer several key benefits:

• Enhanced thermal stability: They exhibit superior thermal stability when compared to traditional mineral vacuum pump oil.
• Extended oil change intervals: In most cases, they allow for longer intervals between vacuum pump oil changes, contributing to cost savings and operational efficiency.

Synthetic oil – ester

Ester oil stands out as the preferred choice for vacuum pump applications that demand exceptional thermal performance.

Key properties of ester oil include:

• High-temperature resilience: Ester oil is well-suited for operations at elevated temperatures, ensuring reliable performance even in demanding thermal conditions.
• Moderate elastomer compatibility: It offers satisfactory compatibility with elastomers, striking a balance between effective sealing and functionality.
• Decent hydrolysis resistance: While not the absolute highest, ester oil demonstrates a reasonable level of resistance to hydrolysis, making it a practical choice for various applications.

Synthetic oil - Polyalphaolefin (PAO)

Polyalphaolefin (PAO) oil is a class of synthetic hydrocarbons known for their paraffin-like nature and uniform molecular structure. When compared to mineral oil, PAO oil exhibits superior thermal and chemical resistance.

These oils offer exceptional benefits, particularly excelling in:

• Low-temperature performance: PAO oil has outstanding flow properties in cold conditions, making it highly effective at low temperatures.
• Elastomer compatibility: They are well-suited for applications requiring elastomer compatibility, ensuring reliable sealing and functionality.
• Hydrolysis resistance: PAO oil provides strong resistance against hydrolysis, enhancing its longevity and reliability.

Synthetic oil – PFPE

When it comes to high temperatures, PFPE oil is your hassle-free solution. It is virtually inert when exposed to various chemicals and oxidizing agents and remains unaltered even under intense energy radiation.

Here are some key considerations:

• Temperature sensitivity: Reactions may occur at temperatures exceeding approximately 150°C (302°F), so careful monitoring is advised.
• Exceptional thermal stability: Perfluoropolyether (PFPE) demonstrates remarkable thermal stability and is non-flammable, providing added safety in high-temperature environments.
• Extreme temperature resilience: Thermal decomposition only becomes a concern at temperatures exceeding 290°C (554°F), highlighting its ability to withstand extreme heat.

Diffusion pump oil

For diffusion pump oil, the choice of fluids is critical. These fluids need to meet specific criteria to ensure optimal performance, including:

• Low vapor pressure and thermal stability: They maintain low vapor pressure at room temperature while demonstrating significant resistance to thermal decomposition and oxidation.
• High surface tension: The fluids should possess high surface tension characteristics to minimize the creeping of oil films.
• Chemical inertness, high flash point, and low evaporation heat: They must exhibit chemical inertness, boast a high flash point for safety, and have low evaporation heat.
• Versatility and cost-effectiveness: Ideal pump fluids should enable high pumping speeds across a broad pressure range while remaining cost-effective.

Special lubricants and greases

Within LEYBONOL's comprehensive portfolio, you'll find specialized lubricants designed to meet unique needs. Our greases play a crucial role in reducing friction and minimizing wear, ensuring smooth component movement while effectively sealing against contaminants. Additionally, they serve as reliable anti-rust and anti-corrosion agents, contributing to the extended lifespan of your pump.

Your equipment's performance and longevity matter to us, and we're here to assist you.

FAQ

Why does my vacuum pump require oil?

The oil inside the vacuum pump lubricates the pumping mechanism, while it collects moisture and contaminants from the evacuated systems. Simply put, oil is what keeps your pump pumping.

What makes LEYBONOL better suited for my pump than other brands?

LEYBONOL oil is formulated from selected premium performance, highly refined raw materials, and processed without any contamination or dilution. With extensive quality controls, LEYBONOL oil is subjected to frequent ongoing and rigorous testing to ensure that each batch is consistent and provides the same outstanding vacuum performance.

We design and test our oil under formal laboratory conditions but also in field conditions for all possible applications.

How does vacuum pump oil contribute to lower cost of ownership?

High-quality vacuum pump oil, such as LEYBONOL, reduces power consumption, wear, and maintenance costs. In other words, LEYBONOL protects your pump and extends its life expectancy. LEYBONOL typically offers longer service intervals than other brands, so you save on maintenance costs.

Choosing high-quality oil both safeguards the reliable pump performance and lowers your total cost of ownership.

Can I use compressor oil in a vacuum pump?

Compressor oil and vacuum pump oil are not always compatible. Even though compressors and pumps sometimes share the same technology, like oil-sealed rotary screws or vanes, it’s not a good idea to mix or swap the lubricants. The properties of the oil, like viscosity and thermal oxidation stability, heavily depend on the application of the pump and, for example, the temperature. In some cases, it may work out fine, but our advice is to use the appropriate oil.

How often should I change the oil in my vacuum pump?

Lubricants cannot be used indefinitely; as they age over time, their quality will degrade. Conditions like high temperatures, oxidation, or chemical and physical reactions with the process media can speed this aging even further. Not changing the oil in time can lead to the formation of sludges, resins, acids, and crystallization. An oil change is always part of a scheduled service.

How long the oil will last depends on the oil type. Synthetic oils with special additives are more resistant than mineral oils, for example. The standard lifetime of LEYBONOL’s oil is 0.5 years. Those oils offering extended lifetime should be changed after 1 year, and our “long lifetime” oils will last up to 2 years.

How does temperature affect oil quality?

Your pump oil durability depends on many parameters, such as temperature. Mineral oil has a maximum temperature limit of 80°C (176°F), above that the oil will thicken. We find that every 10°C temperature increase reduces the oil service life by half. Synthetic oil endures a permanent operation at 100-160°C (212-320°F). PFPE oil is almost inert, as it is not as subject to typical oil aging. Therefore, PFPE oil can stand permanent temperatures of up to 250°C (482°F). Operating conditions can also be too cold for the oil and as a result, water (and other) vapors may condense. Condensed liquid can cause loss of lubrication properties and even corrosion in the pump.

Can I mix various types of vacuum pump oils?

In some cases, oil are interchangeable, and, in some cases, it can cause serious damage. So we advise against this. Best case scenario your pump’s performance may deteriorate, worst case the whole pump may fail. In fact, the main cause of system problems is caused by mistakes with oil. Especially mixing two types of oil can cause issues and should be avoided. If you want to change over to PFPE oil, your pumps should be handled in one of our authorized service centers. The pump must be completely disassembled and cleaned. It will also have its filters and seals replaced and be regreased.

How do I dispose of used vacuum pump oil?

Never pour discarded vacuum pump oil down the drain. Collect the old oil in a suitable container, for example, the one it came in, and handle it according to local recycling regulations.

Does vacuum pump oil go bad?

The durability of your oil can deteriorate if you don't store it properly. Important recommendations for properly storing all LEYBONOL lubricants are:

1. Storage temperature +10 to +30°C (+50 to +86°F)
2. The containers should be protected against direct sunlight
3. Drums should be stored horizontally
4. Storage in enclosed indoor rooms
5. The storage rooms should be clean and dry