BUSCH GENUINE OILS AND LUBRICANTS

Oil is essential for vacuum generation in oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps. It has many functions: Lubrication to reduce friction and prevent abrasion, sealing to close tiny mechanical gaps and subsequently increase tightness and ensure maximum compression efficiency, cooling to store the heat from movement of moving parts, process and compression and transport it to the separator and release heat into the environment to cool the pump additionally. Even dry vacuum pumps, blowers and compressors do need oil for their gear boxes in order to prevent premature wear and to ensure smooth operation with low noise and vibration levels.

The choice of the right lubricant has a great influence on the operating costs and the performance of a vacuum pump, especially with regard to pumping speed and ultimate pressure. There are many lubricants. But only Busch genuine oils and lubricants ensure the perfect match for your Busch vacuum pump thanks to our many years of experience with vacuum applications. Since generic oils have not been specially developed for our products, the optimum performance and lifetime of the vacuum pump cannot be guaranteed.

Busch original oils and lubricants for vacuum pumps and blowers have been developed and tested to the highest quality standards. Of course, they meet all relevant international standards such as CLP (EN 1272/2008) and REACH (EN 1907/2006). This ensures safe and reliable operation. If the vacuum pump however has not been operated with the correct lubricant but with an equivalent oil, there is no warranty in the event of damage.

In order to provide the optimum lubrication properties for the respective vacuum pump in the production process, the oil has to be optimally adapted to the application and a variety of specific environmental influences. Oils age faster due to temperature exposure, process contamination (chemicals, acids, dusts, aerosols), mechanical abrasion, etc. As a result, they lose their lubrication properties. Therefore, the formula of the oil has to be optimally adapted to these parameters. Busch offers a wide range of different oils so that you can always make the perfect choice.

Mineral oils cover basic industrial applications such as the pumping of air and noble gases as well as small amounts of water vapor. They are suitable for low to moderate operating temperatures. Synthetic oils have better viscosity properties than mineral oils and are therefore suitable for more demanding applications with higher process loads (e.g. acids, chemicals) and higher operating temperatures. Due to their higher resistance, synthetic oils have an up to four times longer lifetime than conventional mineral oils, depending on the application.

The relevant standards for hygiene in the food industry are EC Directive 93/43 EEC and FDA 21 CFR in conjunction with the HACCP concept (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point). All synthetic food-grade oils from Busch are H1 certified, the highest standard for oils with occasional direct food contact.

This depends on the application (process contamination), the operating mode, the condition of the machine and the ambient conditions. In the instruction manual of the respective vacuum pump you will find a general recommendation. Although oil can be stored for a very long time (up to four years) under ideal conditions (hermetically sealed, stable temperature around 20°C, no direct sunlight), it degrades more quickly when used in a vacuum pump, even when it is not in operation. For optimum performance and lifetime of your vacuum pump and its components, we therefore recommend at least two oil changes per year.

Following the recommendations in the instruction manual of the vacuum pumps is a good indication. A clear sign of worn oil is when it thickens, i.e. the original viscosity increases. Ideally, the oil should be changed before it becomes too thick. A widespread misconception is that color is the ultimate sign of worn oil. In general, however, a change in color is not unusual and is not immediately a sign of lower quality or worn oil. UV light in particular causes oil to change its original color significantly. It may be a sign that oil is burned when exposed to temperatures outside the intended temperature range, or that it reacts aggressively to contamination, but it is very difficult for the eye to see. A change in the behavior of the vacuum pump could also be an indication of worn oil: changes in ultimate pressure, decreasing pumping speed/pump-down time or increase in noise or vibration levels.

At first, the performance of your vacuum pump gradually suffers: worse ultimate pressure, longer pump-down times, higher noise and vibration levels. In addition, abrasion and wear will increase while the corrosion protection of metal parts decreases. If the oil decomposes too much and the viscosity increases in combination with low temperatures, this can lead to starting problems, as the oil can no longer flow through the pipe cross section due to its thickness. If the motor still has enough power to start and the couplings can still bear the load, the power consumption will yet increase.

If you buy your oils and lubricants from a Busch sales company in your country or from a licensed distributor, you can be sure that you are getting an original product. Make sure that the tamper-evident closure and seal are intact. In addition, Busch original oils have a batch tracking code and number. If this is missing on the label, it may not be an original Busch product. If you find a batch tracking code and number on your product and you are still not sure, forward the batch number to us for verification.

Please refer to the relevant instruction manual of your vacuum pump with detailed step-by-step instructions. The instruction manual can be downloaded from the respective product pages on our website.

Our service technicians around the globe will be glad to assist you. Simply contact you nearest Busch service center.

Busch genuine vacuum pump oils have a shelf life of up to four years from the date of production, if stored in the original containers under the recommended storage conditions:

No, the appropriate oil depends on the vacuum pump and the application. Please refer to the respective instruction manual of your vacuum pump or contact your nearest Busch service center. Our experts will be glad to assist you in selecting the right oil or lubricant.

Basically yes, you can also profit from the benefits of Busch genuine oils and lubricants for your third-party vacuum pumps. The oil has to be selected individually for the respective brand and application. Ideally, the third-party vacuum pump should already be outside the warranty. Since Busch does not know the exact specifications and we do not have test data on material compatibility with the installed components, we cannot give any guarantee, and suitability for use has to be determined empirically.