Greases for Laboratory Equipment

What type of laboratory applications are suited to Apiezon?

Anything and everything! Most laboratories, including university teaching laboratories, contain some type of vacuum pump. These are important for filtration, distillation, rotary evaporation, the list goes on! The selection of the right grease can be the difference between a successful experiment and a failure.

Ask yourself, do I know the vapour pressure of my vacuum grease and how it will change as I increase the temperature? If the answer is no then Apiezon may be the solution (our vapour pressure graphs for each of our greases across the working temperature range can be found here). Using a grease with the wrong vapour pressure could lead to leaks in the system, potentially causing unwanted reactions or oxidation.

What is the best Apiezon greases for laboratory equipment?

Manufactured by M&I Materials Ltd, Apiezon greases are suitable for general laboratory applications, for example as a glassware sealant in quick-fit apparatus or desiccators. The greases tend to be very tenacious and confer excellent cohesive strength which helps to eliminate loose fitting glassware and the risk of mated joints working loose.

Due to its high temperature properties, Apiezon H grease is often the first choice grease for laboratory applications. Able to perform at temperatures up to 240ºC, while retaining all the inherent benefits of hydrocarbon grease such as its tenacity and ‘stiction’ properties.

Apiezon N grease has a special additive which gives it a tenacious, rubbery consistency. This provides an extra cushioning effect, which absorbs vibrations in equipment. Apiezon N grease is thus invaluable for use in fragile glass to glass joints, like burette taps, which continually run the risk of fracture.

In addition to the greases, Apiezon Q Compound is often used in laboratories. Q Compound is a temporary vacuum leak sealant that is utilised as a short term solution when it is not immediately possible to dismantle apparatus for repair. As well as being an excellent waterproof medium, Q compound is easy to use and extremely simple to remove.