How to Choose Lubricating Oil for Screw Air Compressor? - Chengdu ORMD Mechanical Equipment Co.,Ltd

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How to Choose Lubricating Oil for Screw Air Compressor?

Time:2025-12-17 17:06:15

There are various types of lubricating oil for air compressors in the market, with different grades and prices. Many customers do not know how to choose lubricating oil for air compressors. I have sorted out the types of lubricants related to it, hoping to help more people choose correctly and reduce losses.

The lubricating oil for screw air compressors is mainly classified according to the type of base oil and performance level. The specific categories and differences are as follows:

Mineral oil type: Mineral oil (refined or hydrogenated). Main performance characteristics: economical, basic performance meets general requirements. The oil change cycle is about 1000-4000 hours. Main applicable scenarios: light to medium loads, mild operating conditions, and convenient oil changes.

Half formed: a mixture of mineral oil and synthetic oil. Main performance characteristics: High cost-effectiveness, better performance than pure mineral oil. The oil change cycle is between mineral oil and fully synthetic. Applicable scenarios: Medium load, with certain changes in working conditions, seeking a balance between performance and cost.

Fully formed: synthetic hydrocarbons (PAO), esters, polyethers (PAG), etc. Main performance characteristics: excellent high-temperature stability and oxidation resistance, low tendency to accumulate carbon, long service life. Oil change cycle: 4000-8000+hours. Applicable scenarios: harsh working conditions with high temperature, high load, continuous operation, and long service life requirements.

According to the operating conditions of the air compressor (exhaust temperature, pressure), load levels are classified and different oil products are recommended.

Light load (L-DAG): Exhaust temperature below 90 ℃, exhaust pressure below 8 bar.

Medium load (L-DAH): Exhaust temperature is about 100-110 ℃, or exhaust pressure is between 8-15 bar.

Heavy load (L-DAJ): Exhaust temperature above 100 ℃, or exhaust pressure above 15 bar. DAJ grade typically requires the use of synthetic oil.

Based on the applicable scenarios, evaluate the actual load, temperature, continuous operation time, and environment of your air compressor and choose lubricating oil, not just based on oil prices. Fully formed/synthetic oil has a high unit price, but a long oil change cycle can reduce downtime, waste oil treatment, and filter replacement times, which may be more economical in the long run.