Fluorolube
Definition and meaning of Fluorolube in chemistry.
Fluorolube is a trade name for a series of chemically inert, oily-to-greasy liquids made from low-molecular-weight polymers of chlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE). It is prized for extreme resistance to oxidation, acids, and most solvents.
In more detail
Because every hydrogen on the carbon backbone is replaced by fluorine or chlorine, Fluorolube has no C-H bonds to attack, so it resists combustion, strong oxidizers, and corrosive chemicals that would degrade ordinary hydrocarbon oils and greases. This inertness makes it useful as a lubricant and sealant in oxygen and other reactive-gas handling systems and as a vacuum pump fluid. It is also a longstanding tool in mineralogy and petrography, serving as an immersion medium for mounting water-soluble or solvent-reactive mineral grains for optical microscopy.
Key facts
| Formula | (C2ClF3)n (PCTFE repeat unit) |
|---|---|
| Field | Organic Chemistry |
| Class | Fluoropolymer (PCTFE) oil/grease |
| Common Use | Oxygen-system lubricant; mineral immersion oil |
A geologist studying halite (rock salt) grains mounts them in Fluorolube oil on a microscope slide instead of a water-based immersion medium, since Fluorolube will not dissolve the water-soluble crystal while its refractive index is measured.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Fluorolube used in oxygen systems?
Its fully halogenated structure has no C-H bonds to oxidize or ignite, making it far safer than hydrocarbon greases when in contact with pure oxygen or other strong oxidizers.
Is Fluorolube the same as Teflon?
No. Teflon is solid PTFE made from tetrafluoroethylene, while Fluorolube is a lower-molecular-weight, oily or greasy polymer of chlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) used as a liquid lubricant rather than a solid plastic.