Oil for a vacuum pump?

1. Try searching Globalspec!
2. Also try putting 'vacuum pump oil' into google (that's where I got directed back to Globalspec)
For a full answer, we'd need to know at least what type of pump it is, and what pressures you're going down to.

Vacuum pumps used in aerospace applications are dry vane type pumps with a range of 4 to 6 inches mercury. Any use of oil is detrimental to system components.

Assuming it requires oil. Assuming its of small size- like a lawnmower size, 5+- horse power. Use any lite weight 5w-10 motor oil. Larger? 20w or 30w motor oil. Maybe a 20w-50, like race cars might use. ATF if its small -like one would use for a car, home A/C. Mineral oil in the smallest size - if you want to. If it gets cookin hot - switch to ATF, Then to 5w -10 to solve the overheating - if need be.

Oil in Vacuum pumps is used for lubrication. The properties of the oil for these pumps have to be excellent as vacuum pumps are normally a part of another equipment and one can not afford break downs in Vacuum pumps. The specifications of the oils will have to meet tough standards and thus using any oil would not be a good idea. The thermal rating of the oil must have a very high thermal break down point something like 250 deg C+. The lube oil should not break down, should not be chemically reactive, should have consistent heat to viscosity ratio and should not be a source of combustion due to extreme pressures and vacuum handled by these pumps. I would recommend referring the OEM manualfor the lube oil specs and use correct lubricant. The rest of the oils you have can be used for lubrication of other pumps who are not in a critical path.

Call up Industrial department in a Oilcompagny main office. They can advice you. Regards

If its a high vacuum pump the type of oil is incredibly important to the correct operation!!

Under no circumstance even think of using anything other than the correct oil for the pump, it is essential for the operation of the pump in the milli torr range and below....

If you're talking about inches of mercury or a 'soft' vacuum you might get away with it depending on the type of pump....

John.

I have been using "vacuum pump oil" in my small pump used during installation of air conditioning systems. I have a quantity of "refrigeration oil", purchased for use in air conditioning compressors, but I have more than I need for that purpose. Can I use this "refrigeration oil" in my vacuum pump?

An air conditioning technician advised me it is fine, but I think he might have just been trying to please me.

I have used automotive refridgration oil and it has never harmed it- It is a natural as it is common use in vehicle re-fridg pump down air condition units. Get it at wally mart-auto zone, etc. dinky plastic bottle.

The baby oil or the refrigeration oil could work, but I would consider buying vacuum pump oil and here's why. There are basically three grades of vacuum pump oil available (I am assuming you have a rotary vane pump). The best grade, sold under several brand names, is refined several times, filtered, and appears clear and colorless. The mid-grade, also sold under multiple brands, is amber and less refined. The bottom grade, which again is sold with many labels, is brown and is least refined. The more refined an oil, the less volatiles it has. Vacuum pump oil should have as low a vapor pressure as possible, e.g., low volatiles. The baby oil would work but commercial vacuum pump oil probably contains corrosion inhibitors to protect the pump from moisture, as well as other additives. You would not get these with the baby oil. The refrigerator oil would work but I doubt it is a low-volitiles oil. It may take a while to pump out the volatile fraction. As long as you are not planning to push the pump to the limits of its vacuum specification I would suggest you buy some low- to mid-price vacuum pump oil from a scientific supply house.

Hi "bmorrow492", I m Prashant from India. Could u pls advise me the names of variouse types of Vacuum pump fluids (for diffusion & booster pumps), specifically we are searching for the end use in Electric bulb industry. Also, very keen to know about the compositions , processes for its production, specifications. Can you pls advise details for the best quality cheapest vacuum pump fluids/oil.

Hi Prashant. I do not know if you have the same suppliers in your location as I have. Here is the web page of LACO, the manufacturer who supplies vacuum pump oil to many companies who put their own label on it and resell it. http://www.lacotech.com/product_pages/Vacuum_Pump_ Oil_2070054700.html You can see the various product names from different companies that sell equivalent vacuum pump oils. You may be able to buy directly from LACO, or you may be able to find a local supplier of one of the other oils listed. We buy from Fisher Scientific (cat.#01-184-150B, 1 gal bottle, mechanichal pump oil), Scientific Products, and Edwards Vacuum Products. I hope that helps you. -Bill

Your application of the vacuum pump is very important to determine the type of oil you will use.

Things for consideration :

1. Material of the vacuum pump seal which should be able to resist the oil corrosion.

2. If the susbstance that you are vacuuming consist of high moisture, then your oil should be able to withstand it. Remember that the vacuum performance will drop accordingly as the moisture increase.

3. Your vacuum pump could heat up as the increase of moisture mixed into the vacuum oil. Therefore your vacuum oil should have "neutralising" characteristic.

4. Frequent change of vacuum oil could prolong your vacuum pump life.

It depends on the type of pump you will be using, some pumps only have grease points...

Vacuum pumps (especially rotary vane types) typically use the oil as the actual seal, not for lubrication, so the oil needs to be of a constant weight (like sae 10 single-grade, high detergent) in order to maintain the seal necessary to facilitate the proper vacuum. Light weight oil works the best, as it provides a great seal with very little impedance to the vanes. I would recommend something like Gast AD220 vacuum pump oil. Hope this helps.

So, what's wrong with getting on the 'phone to the pump manufacturer's Technical Helpline and asking - assuming that the operation and maintenance manual for the equipment isn't to hand, that is?