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The right mineral, synthetic diester or perfluoropolyether (PFPE) oil makes a difference to vacuum pump performance.
Your pump’s operating instructions are the first place to check for suitable oils. In general, the right choice is narrowed down based on five key factors:
Oil performs different functions depending on the pump design. It may be used directly in the compression chamber for lubrication and sealing, or lubricate gears and bearings outside the gas path in dry vacuum pumps and boosters.
Temperature affects oil viscosity and ageing. The oil must maintain suitable lubricating properties across the pump’s operating temperature range.
Process gases and vapors can interact with the oil. Chemical resistance and compatibility therefore become particularly important when handling reactive or corrosive media, solvents or high concentrations of water vapor.
Operating hours and load influence the demands placed on the oil. Continuous and intermittent operation may therefore call for different oil properties.
Some applications impose additional requirements beyond pump performance. These can include food-grade lubricants or specific material and process compatibility requirements.
Oil type | Temperature range | Chemical resistance | Suitable media | Performance characteristics | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard operating temperatures (up to approx. 95 °C) | Varies by formulation; selected double-distilled variants offer increased resistance to corrosive gases and ionizing plasma | Air, noble gases, water vapor; selected variants also for corrosive process media | Low vapor pressure, good demulsibility, stable lubrication | General vacuum applications; processes with moisture/condensables | |
Up to 120 °C | Resistant to mildly corrosive media; enhanced oxidation stability | Low solvent concentrations | Stable viscosity at high temperature; prolonged oil service life | High-temperature vacuum processes; mildly corrosive environments | |
High thermal stability | Highest chemical stability; inert to aggressive and reactive gases | Oxygen, ozone, halogens (incl. fluorine); HCl, BF₃, HF, PO₃; solvents | Resists oxidation and contamination; maintains performance under extreme conditions | Semiconductor, thin-film, corrosive and reactive processes |
Vacuum pump oils differ in chemical composition, temperature limits and chemical resistance. The three main types are mineral (hydrocarbon-based), synthetic diester and PFPE oils:
Mixing oil types is not recommended. Not even if there's still half a canister on the shelf that isn't enough for a full fill-up.
Different vacuum pump oils should not be mixed unless they are explicitly approved as compatible. Different oil types and formulations can have incompatible properties, which may affect lubrication, chemical stability and vacuum performance.
Mixing can also occur unintentionally when switching to a different oil. Residues of the previous oil may remain in the pump and affect the properties of the new oil. Before switching, the existing oil should therefore be drained thoroughly. Depending on the oils involved, cleaning or flushing may be required.
Always make sure the new oil is compatible with the vacuum pump, process media and operating conditions, and follow the pump-specific instructions when changing oil type or grade.
There is no single oil change interval for every vacuum pump. The required interval depends on the pump technology, operating hours and process conditions. Temperature and exposure to process media can accelerate oil ageing and may require more frequent oil changes.
Always use the maintenance schedule specified for your pump as the starting point and adapt it to the actual operating conditions where necessary.
Change the oil when you notice:
Oil service life depends strongly on operating conditions. Where applicable, several measures can help reduce oil degradation and extend service intervals:
Vacuum pump oil can degrade over time and through exposure to process media. As its properties deteriorate:
Pfeiffer oils are developed and tested for use with our vacuum pumps. This gives you confidence that the oil does more than meet a specification. It performs as required in the pump and under its operating conditions.
Generic oils may have similar specifications, but this does not necessarily mean they will perform the same way in the pump. Pfeiffer oils are selected and tested with our vacuum pumps to verify their compatibility and performance under real operating conditions.
An untested oil may provide insufficient lubrication or heat transfer, degrade more quickly or form sludge and deposits. In oil-sealed pumps, unsuitable oil properties can also affect internal sealing and ultimately vacuum performance. Over time, this can contribute to higher operating temperatures, increased wear and shorter pump lifetime.
For this reason, we recommend using the oil specified for your Pfeiffer vacuum pump.
Basically yes, Pfeiffer vacuum pump oils can also be used in third-party pumps, provided the selected oil meets the requirements of the pump and application. Compatibility must be assessed individually for the specific pump model, materials, operating conditions and process.
Since third-party pumps are not part of our qualification testing, Pfeiffer cannot verify material compatibility or performance in these pumps. We therefore recommend considering the pump manufacturer’s specifications, particularly while the equipment is under warranty.
