PFOA-Compliant Lubricants from Nye
Environmental regulations surrounding perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) have led many engineers and manufacturers to reconsider the materials they source in every aspect of their design
PFOA, also known as C8, is a man-made chemical used in the process of making PTFE. Although it is burned off during the process and is not present in significant amounts in the final products, PFOA has been identified as having the potential to be a health concern because it can stay in the environment and in the human body for long periods of time.
PTFE greases are generally considered to be high temperature greases that have good thermal stability, water resistance, shear stability, and lubricity. PTFE is typically used to thicken PFPE base oils which result in greases that can have low outgassing properties which make them ideal candidates in Semiconductor applications. Another advantage to PTFE/PFPE greases is that they have excellent material compatibility with plastics and elastomers.
Regulations Surrounding PFOA Content
The European Union (EU) has decided to take the conservative approach to PFOAs with new regulatory practices under REACH legislature. Under REACH, products sold to or manufactured within the EU will be restricted to detectable limits of less than 0.1% by weight of PFOA and its salts.
There has been a recent push from healthcare and environmental organizations to pass similar legislation in the United States. In fact, in February 2020, the SEMI International Standards Program introduced a new standard for the practice of restricting the use of PFOA, its related compounds, or their salts.
Nye’s PFOA-Compliant Semiconductor Greases
All Nye products for the Semiconductor Industry use PTFE with levels of PFOA less than 0.1% by weight, in compliance with REACH guidelines and other international regulations. Although this work is not a measurement of each product's complete formulation, analysis indicates PTFE would be the most significant contributor to PFOA levels.
Nye worked with a customer to formulate a new grease for their wafer handling robots after their heritage product was discontinued for failing to comply with REACH regulations.
