Lubricants Designed to Handle the Demands of Space Exploration
Krytox™ high-performance lubricants were developed in the early 1960s to handle the lubrication needs of the aerospace industry. Today, many new grades and special formulations of Krytox™ oils and greases offering superior performance characteristics and certifications for aerospace applications are available.
These oils and greases offer ironclad reliability and lifetime lubrication for critical components used in suborbital, orbital, and deep space flight. They not only operate effectively in high vacuum and extreme temperatures, but are also able to endure exposure to fuels, oxidizers, and radiation.
These traits—in addition to their adherence to strict safety and reliability standards, compliance with a wide range of precise specifications, and reduced maintenance requirements—also make Krytox™ oils and greases ideal for use in commercial, corporate, and military aviation applications.
Krytox™ aerospace greases are available in grades conforming to:
- MIL PRF-27617 Types I, II, III, IV
- CAGE Code No. 43S57 (manufacturing)
- CAGE Code No. 7GFT8 (business)
- NSF H1-certification for unintentional food contact (e.g., commercial airplane galleys)
Features and Benefits of Krytox™ Performance Lubricants for Aerospace
Krytox™ perfluoropolyether- (PFPE-) based oils and greases provide a remarkable list of properties for aviation and aerospace applications, including:
- Unaffected lubricity and viscosity within a wide temperature range: -73 °C to 399 °C (-99 °F to 750 °F)
- Stable physical properties over time, including radiation resistance
- Virtually unaffected by harsh environments and caustic chemicals
- Resistant to vapor loss in a vacuum (e.g., during high-altitude orbit or deep space flight)
- Long wear and low-energy consumption due to excellent friction-reducing characteristics
- Compatible for use with most metals, elastomers, plastics, paints, and finishes
- Nontoxic, nonflammable, inert, and non-evaporative
Krytox™ Aerospace Greases
| Product Name | Viscosity at 38 °C (100 °F) | Viscosity at 99 °C (210 °F) | Estimated Useful Temperature Range °C (°F) | Mil/Spec | Features |
| Krytox™ 240AZ GD1 Grease | 24.7 | 4.2 | -57 to 149 (-70 to 300) | Type I | |
| Krytox™ 240AA Grease | 35 | 5.4 | -51 to 177 (-60 to 350) | n/a | |
| Krytox™ 240AB Grease | 86 | 10.5 | -40 to 232 (-40 to 450) | Type II | |
| Krytox™ 240AC Grease | 270 | 26 | -34 to 288 (-30 to 550) | Type III | |
| Krytox™ 240AD Grease | 502 | 44 | -29 to 316 (-20 to 550+) | n/a | |
| Krytox™ 250AC Grease | 270 | 26 | -34 to 288 (-30 to 550) | n/a | Designed for extreme pressure |
| Krytox™ 250AD Grease | 502 | 44 | -29 to 316 (-20 to 550+) | n/a | Designed for extreme pressure |
| Krytox™ 250AZ Grease | 24.7 | 4.2 | -57 to 149 (-70 to 300) | n/a | Designed for extreme pressure |
| Krytox™ 283AA Grease | 35 | 5.4 | -51 to 177 (-60 to 350) | n/a | Rust inhibited grade |
| Krytox™ 283AB Grease | 86 | 10.5 | -40 to 232 (-40 to 450) | n/a | Rust inhibited grade |
| Krytox™ 283AC Grease | 270 | 26 | -34 to 288 (-30 to 550) | n/a | Rust inhibited grade |
| Krytox™ 283AD Grease | 502 | 44 | -29 to 316 (-20 to 550+) | n/a | Rust inhibited grade |
| Krytox™ FPG-028 Grease | 50.5 | -- | -73 to 204 (-99 to 399) | Type IV | |
| Krytox™ FPG-182 Grease | 138 | 37.6 | -80 to 210 (-112 to 410) | n/a | |
| Kryotx™ AGL 683 Grease | 32 | -- | -60 to 120 (-76 to 248) | n/a | Designed for gearboxes |
| Kryotx™ AGL 829 Grease | 49 | 7.2 | -60 to 120 (-76 to 248) | n/a | Designed for gearboxes |
NOTE: Last last four grades show viscosity at 40 °C and 100 °C.
Krytox™ Aerospace Oils
| Product Name | Average Molecular Weight | Estimated Useful Temperature range °C ( °F) | Viscosity at 40 °C (104 °F) | Viscosity at 100 °C (104 °F) |
| Krytox™ 143AZ Oil | 2060 | -57 to 149 (-70 to 300) | 22.8 | 4.1 |
| Krytox™ 143AB Oil | 3800 | -40 to 232 (-40 to 450) | 78 | 10.2 |
| Krytox™ 143AC Oil | 5940 | -34 to 288 (-30 to 550) | 243 | 25.4 |
| Krytox™ 143AD Oil | 7480 | -29 to 315 (-20 to 600) | 450 | 42.4 |
Krytox™ lubricants have been used in a variety of aerospace applications, including:
- Oxygen system couplings, valves, regulators, and seals
- Liquid-fueled rocket engines and ground support systems
- Fan motors
- Instruments, gyroscopes, and gimbals
- Seals, valves, and pneumatics
- Bearings
- Lead screws and ball screws
- Electro-mechanical actuators
- Engine ancillary gearbox spline couplings
- Anti-friction mounts and engine oil tanks
- Non-conducting lubricant for sealing electrical connectors
- IR sensors and optics
With new additives for future challenges, Krytox™ greases and oils deliver exceptional performance under the extreme conditions of space.
Space and satellite applications include:
- Bearings
- High-speed bearings
- Synchronous motor bearings in gyroscopes
- Thrust and vector control bearings
- Seals used in valves and pumps
- Space suit joints and articulation point
- O-rings used in engines and hydraulic systems
- Oxygen-breathing systems
- Vehicle and space suit valve and pump-packing seals
- Mechanical seals and connectors
- Rocket engine assemblies
- Liquid-fueled turbines
- Gimbals
- Pumps
- Reduction gears
- Valves with fuel/oxidizer exposure
- Threaded fasteners
- Metal connectors
- Valve seals and threads
Performance Lubricants - authorized distributor of Krytox products
Performance Lubricants is the distributor of Krytox products for Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our team of specialists can provide you with reliable advice and help in identifying the right lubricants for your specific needs.