Chemours Krytox Lubricants Advantage MIL-G-27617 – Part I

Discovered in 1959, the polymer that would become known worldwide as Krytox showed remarkable thermal and oxidative stability. Potential uses envisioned then included lubricant for the MACH 3+ turbine engine, hydraulic oil, rocket gear box lubricant, and even gyroscope oil.

In 1963, Krytox oil was used in a GE engine test for the supersonic transport aircraft. In 1964, new Krytox PFPE-based grease formulations were developed jointly with the US Navy and the Air Force, resulting in military specification MIL-G-27617, which was developed specifically to cover Krytox. The first commercial sales of Krytox were for non-flammable lubricants for the Apollo space program in 1965.

Prior to 1981, the only commercially available Krytox lubricants were aerospace oil and greases. Since then, PFPE-based oils and greases have been adopted across a very wide range of industries and applications. There are PFPE oils and greases for industrial operations, vacuum pump fluids, incidental food contact, automotive uses, reactive gas, and of course, military applications — to name just a few.