Understanding Hydrogen-Safe Lubricants

Hydrogen-safe lubricants are specially designed to withstand the unique challenges of hydrogen-rich environments. Industries that rely on clean hydrogen—whether for fuel or manufacturing—depend on these lubricants to maintain safe and efficient operations.
Hydrogen is highly reactive and can ignite or explode when it interacts with certain materials. Conventional lubricants may pose a significant safety risk due to their potential flammability and reactivity with hydrogen. In contrast, hydrogen-safe lubricants are engineered to mitigate these risks with low flammability and high chemical stability, making them ideal for hydrogen applications.
Beyond safety, these lubricants also enhance equipment performance and longevity. They provide excellent thermal stability, oxidation resistance, and wear protection, reducing the frequency of lubricant changes and lowering operational costs.
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Key Attributes of Hydrogen-Safe Lubricants

Selecting the right hydrogen-safe lubricant requires evaluating critical performance attributes, including:

· Thermal Stability & Oxidative Resistance: Hydrogen environments expose lubricants to extreme temperatures and oxidative stress. High-performance lubricants must resist degradation under these conditions.

· Hydrogen Compatibility: Lubricants must remain stable when in contact with hydrogen, ensuring safe and reliable operation.

· Low Friction & Wear Protection: Reducing friction and wear is essential for optimizing efficiency and preventing equipment failure, extending component lifespan, and minimizing maintenance costs.

Applications of Hydrogen-Safe Lubricants

Hydrogen-safe lubricants are used across various industries and applications, including:
· Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles: These vehicles, which use hydrogen as a fuel source for clean transportation, rely on specialized lubricants to ensure the efficiency and durability of key components.
· Hydrogen Production & Storage: The complex processes involved in hydrogen production and storage require reliable lubrication solutions that are highly compatible with hydrogen gas, protecting equipment and extending operational lifespan.
· Hydrogen-Powered Industrial Equipment: Equipment such as forklifts and generators operating in hydrogen-rich environments benefit from lubricants that offer exceptional stability, corrosion resistance, and thermal durability.
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Thermowell Probe Lubricant

Benefits of Using Krytox Lubricants on Valves:

  • Nonflammable
  • Non-reactive with aggressive chemicals
  • Excellent compatibility with gasket, seal and O-ring materials
  • Noncorrosive towards common valve constructions
  • Insoluble in aqueous solutions, fuels, and common solvents
  • Resists oxidation and degradation
  • Non-volatile
  • Undamaged by steam, moisture, and pressure
  • Maintains lubricity/viscosity in a wide range of temperatures
  • Minimal environmental footprint – chemically/biologically inert and silcone-free
  • Prevents seizing and corrosion

Krytox™ Recommendations based on Viscosity and Temperature Conditions

Miller-Stephenson stocks a wide range of Krytox lubricants that fit the needs of your valve application based on viscosity type and temperature conditions. You can find a list of options below or you can contact us to help you find the right solution for your application needs.

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Krytox™ Type Oil/Grease

Base Oil Viscosity
at 40 °C, cSt

Temperature
Range °C/°F

Product Page

GPL-103

Oil

30

-60–154/-76–310

Oil

60

-51–180/-60–355

Oil

160

-36–204/-33–400

Oil

243

-36–260/-33–500

Grease

30

-60–154/-76–310

Grease

60

-51–180/-60–355

Grease

160

-36–204/-33–400

Grease

243

-36–260/-33–500

Grease

243

-36°C to 260°C/-33-500

Grease

500

-20–300/-4–572

Grease

738

-10–300/14–572

Threading Grease

160

-54–149/-65–300

Krytox GPL 226

Industries Served Using Krytox™ for Safe Hydrogen Applications

Have Questions?

Our highly experienced team of application engineers and technical specialist can assist you with learning more about Krytox™ lubricants. Call or Email our team for further assistance

Contact US
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Notwithstanding any express or implied indication to the contrary, product information provided on or via this website is supplied upon the condition that the persons receiving such information will make their own, independent determination as to a given product’s suitability for any contemplated purposes prior to use. In no event will Miller-Stephenson be responsible for damages of any nature whatsoever resulting from the use of, or reliance upon, information provided, directly or indirectly, on this website in relation to any product and/or application.