PFPE lubricants: performance in extreme conditions

PFPE (perfluoropolyether) lubricants are one of the most reliable solutions for industrial lubrication in extreme conditions. Thanks to their high chemical and thermal stability, they are successfully used today in a wide range of industrial sectors where safety, efficiency and durability are essential. The products in the Setral PFPE line are designed to face the most complex and critical applications.

• Food and beverage industry
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Chemical industry
• Automation and painting systems
• Automotive industry
• Electronics and precision industry
• Plastics production and processing
• Packaging and wrapping systems
• High or low temperature systems
• Vacuum applications and aggressive environments

Key features and benefits of PFPE lubricants

Unlike conventional lubricants, PFPE base oils have a completely fluorinated molecular structure, which makes them extremely inert and therefore resistant to almost all chemical agents, including acids and bases. This property translates into exceptional operating life and stable behaviour even in environments with high mechanical loads or intense thermal variations.

One of the main advantages of PFPE lubricants is their thermal stability: many products resist up to +300°C, maintaining their lubricating properties even after long operating cycles. At the same time, some formulations are designed to operate at temperatures as low as -75°C, maintaining low resistance to start-up and reducing friction in sensitive components.

Other distinctive characteristics include:

• Low surface tension, allows for uniform and thin lubrication
• Low vapour pressure, with minimal evaporation losses even in critical conditions
• Compatibility with almost all materials, including metals, plastics and most gaskets.
• Dielectric properties, which make them suitable also for electrical components
• No flash point and no labelling as hazardous substances, for greater safety in use
• Lubrication for life, reducing maintenance costs and machine downtime

High temperature applications and harsh industrial environments

One of the areas where PFPE lubricants are most widely used is in heavy and high-temperature industry. Paint shops, industrial ovens, calenders and transport systems in hot environments require stable lubricants that are able to withstand heat without degrading. Products such as SYN-setral-INT/250 S-1 and SYN-setral-INT/250 A-1 are formulated to guarantee long-lasting lubrication of plain and roller bearings in these environments. These PFPE lubricants maintain their viscosity and adhesion even at temperatures above +260 °C, extending the useful life of the components and improving the overall efficiency of the system.

In even more extreme situations, SYN-setral-INT/1000 and SYN-setral-INT/330 Special offer reliable performance well above +300°C, ideal for low-speed applications subjected to extreme thermal stress.

Food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries: performance and safety

When safe lubrication is required in sensitive environments, NSF H1 certified PFPE lubricants are the ideal choice. The SYN-setral-INT/250 FD line, available in different consistencies (from semi-fluid to thicker), is used in ovens, presses, conveyor guides and other moving mechanical parts in the food and packaging industry.

These products not only resist high temperatures, but are also completely physiologically harmless and free of hazardous substances, reducing the risk of contamination and complying with the strictest health and food regulations.

Precision and low temperatures: electronics and automotive

For applications where low resistance to start-up is essential, such as in precision electronics or sensitive automotive systems, MD Poland offers solutions such as SYN-sertal-INT/90 M-2, specifically developed to work down to -75°C. This makes it ideal for electronic engineering, control systems, moving seals and components of optical or medical instruments, where the slightest variation in friction can compromise functionality.

Lubrication in aggressive environments and under vacuum

In complex industrial environments, where there is humidity, acids, solvents or technical gases, PFPE lubricants are irreplaceable. Formulations such as SYN-setral-SINT/325 CST-2 FD offer protection against wear and corrosion, ensuring reliability even in chemically aggressive conditions.

For systems that operate under high vacuum or in the presence of technical oxygen, certified solutions are available such as SYN-setral-INT/200 OX, with BAM approval for applications up to 80 bar. The use in devices for immersion, breathing or semiconductor production testifies to the technical excellence of these solutions.

Why choose the Setral product range from MD Poland?

Thanks to its partnership with Setral, MD Poland offers a wide range of specialty lubricants that can be used in various applications and sectors, from food to automotive. To discover the Setral products best suited to your needs, contact our lubricant experts at MD Poland.