PFPE (perfluoropolyether) grease — PFPE oil thickened with PTFE micro-powder — covers the extreme service window: -70 to +300 °C continuous, chemically inert to acid/alkali/oxidiser/oxygen, non-flammable, ultra-low vapour pressure for vacuum / clean-room. Used in ISRO satellite reaction wheels, semiconductor fab vacuum, oxygen valves, nuclear maintenance, chemical pump shaft seal. Premium pricing (₹5,000-15,000 / kg). This guide gives the BOM, PFPE chemistry families and Indian application map.
| Component group | Typical role | Typical share |
|---|---|---|
| Base oil(s) | Carrier fluid (mineral / synthetic / bio) | ~75–90% |
| Thickener / soap system | Builds structure & consistency (NLGI grade) | ~8–15% |
| EP / anti-wear additive package | Load-carrying & wear protection | ~2–6% |
| Antioxidant, corrosion inhibitor, tackifier | Service life, rust protection, adhesion | balance |
Indicative high-level composition only. The exact components, treat rates, performance additives and approved suppliers are shared under NDA as part of a Lubechem formulation engagement.
Process: shear-disperse PTFE in PFPE at 5,000-15,000 RPM using high-shear mixer (PFPE has unusual rheology — needs high shear and longer dispersing time); let mature 24-72 hr at controlled temperature; final 3-pass mill if needed to achieve NLGI 2 consistency. QC against ASTM lubricant & grease testing: NLGI 2 (270-285), dielectric strength 18-22 kV/mm, vapour pressure <1×10⁻⁹ Torr at 25 °C, oxygen LOX compatibility (BAM test pass for O2 service variants). Ex-works cost ₹4,500-8,500 / kg for 25+ kg batch (small-batch specialty), largely independent of the broader grease plant setup cost since PFPE runs as a small-batch specialty line. Premium oxygen-service grade with BAM cert: ₹9,000-15,000 / kg.
PFPE = Perfluoropolyether. Synthetic fluid where all hydrogen atoms in a polyether backbone are replaced by fluorine. PFPE grease uses PFPE oil thickened with PTFE micro-powder (fully fluorinated thickener). Properties: temperature range -70 to +300 °C continuous (some grades -90 to +350 °C). Chemically inert to acid, alkali, oxidiser, oxygen, solvents. Non-flammable. Very low vapour pressure (suitable for vacuum / clean-room).
Applications: semiconductor fab vacuum equipment, satellite reaction wheel bearings, oxygen valve / regulator, chemical pump shaft seal, nuclear reactor service. Premium pricing — ₹5,000-15,000 / kg.
NLGI 2 PFPE grease BOM (%): PFPE oil 78%, PTFE micro-powder 19%, optional surface stabiliser 0.5%, anti-rust additive 0.3%, balance PFPE diluent. No standard mineral oil additives — they don't dissolve in PFPE, so a conventional grease additive package cannot be carried here. No metallic soap.
Process: shear-disperse PTFE in PFPE at 5,000-15,000 RPM; let mature 24-72 hr; 3-pass mill if needed. QC: NLGI 2 (270-285), dielectric strength 18-22 kV/mm, vapour pressure <1×10⁻⁹ Torr at 25 °C, oxygen LOX compatibility (BAM test pass).
Three commercial PFPE chemistries. (1) Krytox (Chemours/DuPont) — homopolymer with -CF(CF3)CF2O- repeat unit, viscosity range 1-1000 cSt. (2) Demnum (Daikin) — -CF2CF2CF2O- repeat unit, slightly different rheology, lower price than Krytox. (3) Fomblin / Galden (Solvay) — Z-type linear or Y-type branched, very wide range available.
All three are interchangeable for most applications; specific OEM specs may demand one brand. Indian sourcing via import — Chemours India, Daikin India, Solvay India.
Standard grease thickeners (lithium soap, fumed silica, organoclay) are incompatible with PFPE — PFPE is so chemically inert that other materials don't disperse stably in it. PTFE micro-powder is the only compatible thickener — both PFPE and PTFE are fully fluorinated, similar surface energy, stable in PFPE.
PTFE micro-powder at 15-25% gives NLGI 1-2 consistency. Thickener selection limits PFPE grease to high-purity formulations — no metallic contaminants, no oil-soluble additives. The chemical inertness that makes PFPE valuable also makes it expensive to thicken.
High-pressure oxygen service (oxygen valve, regulator, compressor) — hydrocarbon-based greases (mineral oil, ester) can ignite or explode in pure O2 atmosphere under shock or compression. Critical safety requirement: 'oxygen-compatible' or 'BAM test certified' grease.
PFPE grease is fluorinated and non-flammable in oxygen — passes BAM Federal Institute Liquid Oxygen impact test. PCS, MoS2-loaded white-oil grease (legacy), and PFPE are the three oxygen-compatible grease options. PFPE is the gold standard. Used in medical oxygen, industrial gas, semiconductor process gas, rocket propellant systems.
Volume is small but growing. Applications: ISRO / DRDO satellite reaction wheel and gyro bearings, Indian semiconductor fabs (HCL, Foxconn upcoming), pharmaceutical process equipment, Indian Air Force aircraft cabin pressurisation valves, BHEL / NPCIL nuclear reactor maintenance, BPCL / IOCL refinery high-pressure O2 service, medical oxygen suppliers (Linde, INOX, JWS).
Brands: Chemours Krytox 240/250/280 series, Daikin Demnum L grease, Solvay Fomblin Y / RT / RTGN. Aerospace-spec Krytox 250AC for satellite. ₹6,000-18,000 / kg branded. Lubechem custom (LC-GR-PFPE-NLGI2) ex-works ₹4,500-8,500 / kg for 25+ kg batch.
Share your application (semiconductor / aerospace / oxygen / chemical), temperature window, BAM certification requirement and volume. We respond within one business day with PFPE chemistry selection and ex-works cost.