EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS

WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT OIL

But were afraid to ask

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What lubricants do…
Qualitative lubricants are indispensable for the operation of any oil injected
air compressor. They keep the compression block cool and protect the machine
from wear and tear, they eliminate dirt and seal all sections from air. In short,
qualitative lubricants realize a compressor’s full potential, maximize its lifetime
and keep operational costs to a minimum.
Stay Cool
The number one function of compressor
lubricant is to cool down the operational
temperature of the compressor.
Stay Lubricated
The oil forms a protective layer to reduce
wear and tear of the bearings.
Stay Sealed
Oil seals all moving parts in
the compressor element, ensuring
optimum energy efficiency
Stay Clean
The oil solves deposits and carries floating
dust and metal particles to the oil filter,
where it is cleaned and prevents damage
to the compressor.
…and why Atlas Copco Lubricants do it
Effective lubrication is vital to keep your compressors performing reliably and
consequently vital for your production processes. However, oil is continuously submitted to
extreme conditions that hold a real risk of compromising the smooth running of your compressor,
and an equally danger of a breakdown. Not all lubricants meet these challenges.

It’s all in the formula

Only Atlas Copco lubricants meet the exact speci-
fications for Atlas Copco equipment. Its effective
formulas protect your equipment for the longest
possible time in the best possible way at the best
service cost, in variable operating conditions.

The experts in our laboratories are uniquely
skilled in specifying lubricant properties for
Atlas Copco compressors to operate optimally
in a wide range of settings and conditions,
during several thousands of hours
The information that we gather from
compressed air installations across the world
allows us to understand the demanding
requirements our lubricants need to withstand.
better ANTI OXIDATION
ANTI WEAR
ANTI FOAMING
VISCOSITY BEHAVIOR

Atlas Copco lubricants

are the only real choice.
Additives
Individual additives influence each
After the refinery process
other’s behavior, the base fluid behavior
Atlas Copco enriches
and ultimately the effectiveness
the base oil with different
of the lubricant. Add too much of a
additives to meet the
particular additive, and one or more other
requirements of our
additives may lose effect. To ensure
compressors in different
every additive can perform its task,
operating conditions,
our lubricants have a balanced recipe
from mild to highly
resulting from extensive research
demanding environments.
and development.
Tackle the threats
Atlas Copco lubricants are a unique blend of chemical properties,
engineered for optimal performance in their dedicated functions.
These carefully selected additives interact in the right proportion
to obtain optimal overall performance from your compressor
for the longest possible time.
OXIDATION RESISTANCE
When exposed to oxygen, high temperatures, water or dust, the oil will oxidize,
creating oxidation products, acids and deposits that will decrease the oil life and
may cause damage and undermine the compressor’s performance.
Additives
• Slows the lubricant’s reaction with oxygen
• Improves oxidation resistance at higher operating temperatures
Benefits
• Extends lubricant lifetime
• Prevents deposits like varnish or sludge
• Prevents acid formation and metal corrosion
• Prevents clogging of filters, blocking of valves, failure on bearings and gears
• Prevents unexpected breakdowns; ensures reliability
SEPARATING WATER RESISTANCE TO WEAR
Depending on the relative humidity of the ambient air transit of many liters In operating conditions where the lubrication film is not sufficient, moving
of water vapor occurs during the compressor’s operation. parts could briefly make contact. Anti-wear additives form a protective
This increases the rate of oxidation and reduces the oil’s lubrication properties. layer on such moving parts and prevent them from getting damaged.

Additives Additives
• Improves the water separability • Highly reactive, attaches easily to parts
• Enhances the lubricant’s phase separation • Forms a protective layer over metal surfaces

Benefits Benefits
• Protects the system from water and oil emulsions • Prevents welding of metal parts
• Maintains the lubricant’s original properties • Reduces wear on rotors, bearings and gears
• Prevents oxidation • Protects the compressor element
• Lowers condensate concentration
• Enhanced intervals of the oil condensate treatment system.
Selecting the right lubricant

mineral versus synthetic oils ambient conditions

Although both mineral and synthetic oils can used in compressors they each Temperature, humidity and dust are all factors that jeopardize the
have their own characteristics. Depending on the operation conditions of your quality of the oil and determine the oil change interval.
compressor you can make the right choice.

Synthetic oils stay more viscose Synthetic oils, like RS Xtend Duty,
at higher temperatures resulting in repel water while mineral oils attract Temperature Humidity Dust Type
better lubrication. water more easily, which leads to faster
<30° C / 86° F N N MILD
oxidation for mineral oils, making them
At low temperatures, synthetic oils less suitable for humid conditions.
<30° C / 86° F Y N MILD
become less viscous compared to min-
eral oils, resulting in less cold start-up Mineral oils adhere better to metal <30° C / 86° F N Y MILD
problems. surfaces, compared to some
synthetic oils and create a better <30° C / 86° F Y Y DEMANDING
Mineral oils contain more volatile protective layer. As such the
components. Compared with negative effect on lubrication of >30° C / 86° F - <40° C / 104° F N N DEMANDING
synthetic oils, they evaporate mineral oils at higher
faster and will carry over into the temperatures, due to low >30° C / 86° F - <40° C / 104° F Y N DEMANDING

air more easily with air viscosity, is compensated.

>30° C / 86° F - <40° C / 104° F N Y DEMANDING
contamination and higher oil
consumption as a result.
>30° C / 86° F - <<40° C / 104° F Y Y EXTREME

>40° C / 104° F - - EXTREME

 Mild Demanding Extreme
2.000 Hrs 4.000 Hrs 8.000 Hrs 2.000 Hrs 4.000 Hrs 8.000 Hrs 2.000 Hrs 4.000 Hrs 8.000 Hrs

Roto Foodgrade

RIF Ndurance

RS Ultra

RS Xtend Duty

SERVICE INTERVAL

Humidity Dust
Humidity is influenced by rain and other The quality of the air depends in large
weather influences, so use the following part on the amount of dust. Use the
geographical indications for guidance only. following indications of dust levels in
production environments for guidance
• Not humid: locations that are not only; local circumstances may influence
humid most of the year the average dustiness.

• Humid: locations that are humid

• High dust levels:
most of the year
mining and cement, metal,steel
- Tropical and megathermal climates
manufacturing and foundries
- Tropical rainforest climates
• Normal dust levels:
(Northwest Pacific, Central America,
food and beverage, automotive,
Malaysia)
electronics, petrochemical,
- Tropical monsoon climate
gas purification, etc.
(Jakarta, Miami, South America)
Mild Demanding Extreme
Selecting the right lubricant
Roto-Foodgrade

Roto-Foodgrade Fluid is a high

performance fluid specifically designed
for use in oil injected screw compressors
operating in the Food/Beverage,
Pharmaceutical and packing industry.

National and international regulations Roto Foodgrade RIF Ndurance RS Ultra RS Xtend Duty
specify strict manufacturing standards
regarding contamination risk Synthetic Fluid Mineral Fluid Synthetic Fluid Synthetic Fluid
management in this industry. PAO, NSF-H1, Halal and Highly refined mineral oil Gas to Liquid PAO
Kosher approved
Our Roto-Foodgrade is based on a
careful blend of synthetic fluids and SERVICE INTERVALS SERVICE INTERVALS SERVICE INTERVALS SERVICE INTERVALS
additives that meet these stringent Mild: Mild: Demanding: All conditions:
requirements, allowing for active Critical up to 4.000 hrs / 1 year up to 4.000 hrs / 1 year up to 4.000 hrs / 2 years 8.000 hrs / 2 years
Control Points management
(in an HACCP system) and providing Demanding: Demanding: Extreme: GR and ER compressors:
increased customer confidence in up to 2.000 hrs / 1 year up to 2.000 hrs / 1 year up to 2.000 hrs / 2 years Up to 4.000 hrs / 2 years
the food products’ safety.
GR and ER compressors:
Up to 2.000 hrs / 2 years
 A positive
impact on your
maintenance cost

Generic Lubricant
Purchasing a generic low-cost lubricant may
seem like an effective way to achieve modest
cost savings. However, if the generic lubricant causes
deposit formation, provides insufficient lubrication New element
+75%
Overall Cost
or inadequate resistance to wear, the risk of
a breakdown increases. If the element needs to be
replaced after only a few years, the resulting overall Atlas Copco
Change oil filters Lubricant
cost reveals a different picture. & oil separators

Maintenance
Maintenance

Oil change & top ups

Oil change & top ups
 2935 0170 20 - November 2016 © Atlas Copco Airpower n.v., Belgium. - Subject to alteration without prior notice.
COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTIVITY
As a true service partner we understand you need for reliable and efficient
quality air solutions. It is our ambition to maximize the availability of your
equipment at minimum operating cost,making adequate use of resources.
That is what we call sustainable productivity.

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