Nye Lubricants launches new grease for semiconductor industry

Nye Lubricants has launched a REACH-compliant, low outgassing grease for use within components in cleanroom manufacturing and vacuum environments for the semiconductor industry. NyeClean® 5057 was formulated using a unique perfluoropolyether (PFPE) base oil that offers excellent thermal stability (-50°C to +250°C) and chemical stability to accommodate demanding in-vacuum conditions. 

The REACH legislation directive, which limits the use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its salt concentrations in the European Union (EU), established a need for compliant lubricants. On May 3, 2019, more than 180 countries agreed to ban the production and use of PFOA, its salts, and PFOA-related compounds under the international Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). The EU, which is a key party to the UN’s Stockholm convention, agreed to a complete ban on the chemical, effective from July 4, 2020.

As the legislation grew prominence in other parts of the world, the SEMI International Standards Program introduced a new standard for the practice of restricting the use of PFOA in the semiconductor industry. The SEMI International Standards Program is one of the key services offered by Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) for the benefit of the worldwide semiconductor, photovoltaic (PV), LED, MEMS and flat panel display (FPD) industries.

Replaces legacy PFPE-based semiconductor grease

NyeClean® 5057 was developed to replace a legacy PFPE semiconductor grease that had been discontinued for failing to comply with PFOA regulations. “Our grease was validated using an exhaustive testing protocol to ensure it complies with the strict new regulatory statues while offering a performance comparable with the legacy grease,” says John Evans, semiconductor industry manager at Nye Lubricants. 

Due to the rapid increase in automobile market demand, the industry is facing extended lead-times stemming from a semiconductor chip backlog for smartphones, mobile PCs, video games and data centers. “Semiconductor manufacturers need reliable equipment to address this backlog,” says Evans. “Durable, clean lubricants like NyeClean® 5057 protect components while minimizing contamination, ultimately helping manufacturers increase yields and reduce downtime.”

Thickened with a unique polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) synthetic polymer, NyeClean® 5057 reduces the friction, wear and energy consumption of the components where this lubricant is used. NyeClean® 5057 also extends bearing life while offering higher temperature resistance, along with minimal particle generation and low vapor pressure performance, according to Nye Lubricants. 

Based in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, U.S.A., Nye Lubricants, Inc., a formulator and manufacturer of high-quality synthetic oils, greases and specialty fluids, was acquired by Germany’s FUCHS Group in January 2020. Founded in 1844, Nye services customers in a broad range of industries including the top 25 global automotive parts suppliers, the world’s largest aerospace and defense contractors, name-brand appliance and power tool companies, preeminent medical device manufacturers, and several leading in-vacuum equipment producers.