This is a high-performance synthetic lubricant specifically formulated for reciprocating air compressors. It is marketed as: designed primarily for reciprocating compressors operating in difficult applications. Formulated with premium synthetic base stocks and performance additives wide temperature performance, even in adverse ambient conditions.
Example typical properties from the product brochure:
- ISO Grade: 68
- Viscosity @40 C: ~68 cSt
- Viscosity @100 C: ~10.3 cSt
- Viscosity Index (VI): ~139
- Flash Point: 270 C / 518 F
- Pour Point: 51 C / 59.8 F
- Four-Ball Wear (40 kg, 1200 rpm, 75 C, 1 hr): Scar diameter < 0.50 mm
- Demulsibility: Excellent
Highlights:
- Cost savings from extended service intervals
- High flash point for improved safety
- Excellent demulsibility for improved lubricity and fluid life
- Robust protection from oxidation and thermal degradation
- Protection from wear and corrosion to extend machine life
- Reduced oil make-up costs from low volatility / low foaming formula design
- Potential energy savings over standard mineral oils
- High viscosity index for excellent operability over a wide temperature range
Design: The lubricant is built on synthetic base stocks (rather than conventional mineral oils) to provide durability at high temperatures, better cold-weather flow, and improved stability.
- Oxidation inhibitors (to resist breakdown at high temperature)
- Wear-protection chemistry (to protect bearings, rods, pistons in reciprocating compressor environment)
- Corrosion inhibitors (to protect internal metal surfaces)
- Demulsability agents (so that any water contamination can separate effectively)
- Low foaming / low volatility design (to minimise carry-over and loss)
- Viscosity & thermal behaviour
- The ISO 68 grade (viscosity ~68 cSt at 40 C) gives a good balance between fluid film strength and flow in moderate-to-heavy duty reciprocating compressors.
- A high VI (~139) means the viscosity changes less with temperature than a low-VI oil this is beneficial when the compressor sees wide ambient or operating temperature swings.
- A low pour point (51 C) implies it will function in cold ambient climates; the high flash point (~270 C) implies safer operation at elevated temperatures.
- Good demulsibility means when water enters the system (which often does in compressor duty cycles via condensation) the oil can separate water efficiently, reducing sludge formation and optimizing lubricity.
- Service life & maintenance design
- Because of the premium synthetic formulation, the oil is designed to deliver extended service intervals compared to standard mineral reciprocating compressor oils.
- The oils design goals include fewer deposits, cleaner systems, better stability under heat, which contributes to reliability and lower maintenance.
- Although specific drain interval numbers for the reciprocating version arent specified in the brochure (for the rotary screw version a up to 8,000 hours claim is made) the reciprocating version shares the premium features and is intended for more severe service.
Applications:
This oil is intended for reciprocating air compressors, i.e., compressors where pistons reciprocate in cylinders, rather than rotary screw or vane type. The brochure explicitly says Reciprocating Compressor Oil designed primarily for reciprocating compressors operating in difficult applications.
It is well suited for compressors that operate under adverse ambient conditions (very cold or very hot), as its pour point and flash point suggest.
It is likely used in industrial, mobile, or rental compressor units where reliability, long life, and maintenance interval extension are important.
If you have a reciprocating compressor operating in a mobile environment (e.g., on a truck, skid, remote jobsite) and you want a premium synthetic oil that will behave well over a wide temperature range.
If your duty cycle is relatively heavy, the ambient temperatures are extreme (cold in winter or hot in summer), or you want to reduce downtime and maintenance by using higher grade lubricant.
If the compressor manufacturer specifically recommends or approves use of a synthetic lubricant in the reciprocating model. Using the OEM-branded oil (Vanguard in this case) may help with warranty coverage or reliability. For example, in one spec sheet for Vanair units it states: Vanguard Reciprocating Compressor Oil is a full synthetic fluid designed to perform in extreme hot and cold environments while providing superior lubrication for optimal compressor life.