BRAND OVERVIEW
PFAS Alternatives
Secure Your Business Against PFAS Bans
The environmentally-conscious public is outraged about PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) infiltrating water supplies. Substitute your PFAS-based fluids with PFAS replacements. Our lubricants help secure your business against PFAS bans.
Because our PPE (Polyphenyl Ether) technology replaces PFAS-based lubricants in many applications, these fluids can help support compliance with current bans and regulations while maintaining high performance in demanding systems.
PFAS-free
pathway
PPE-Based
Technology
Compliance-Focused
Performance
Why Companies Are Evaluating PFAS Alternatives
Regulatory pressure, contamination concerns, thermal performance, and system reliability are driving companies to evaluate alternatives to PFAS-based fluids.
PPE-based fluids offer a pathway to maintain performance while helping address these critical business needs.
From vacuum pumps to high-precision manufacturing, SantoLubes provides reliable, PFAS-free solutions you can trust for long-term operational success.
Ultra-high vacuum environments
Diffusion pump systems
Contamination-sensitive applications
Vacuum pump service
Advanced thermal-stability applications
Key Benefits of SantoLubes PFAS Alternatives
Supports Compliance
Helps reduce dependence on PFAS-based fluids in regulated applications.
PPE-Derived Performance
Based on proven polyphenyl ether technology.
Thermal & Oxidative Stability
Built for demanding operating environments.
High Purity Options
Supports critical applications requiring clean, stable fluid performance.
PFAS Alternatives Product Range
SantoVac® 5P ULTRA Vacuum Pump Fluid High-Purity PPE-Derived Diffusion Pump Fluid
For contamination-free ultra-high vacuum environments; extremely low backstreaming because of very high purity.
SantoVac® 5 PPE
Ultra-High Vacuum Diffusion Pump Fluid
Operates efficiently and safely to produce ultra-high vacuum of 5 × 10-10 torr or greater at 25°C; a proven fluid for diffusion pump equipment.
SantoVac® OS-750 Advanced Formulation
Specially formulated PPE fluid with excellent thermo-oxidative properties and enhanced thermal stability.
Product Series / Variants
SantoVac® 5P ULTRA
High-Purity PPE-Derived Diffusion Pump Fluid
Used in critical applications that require contamination-free ultra-high vacuum environments. Extremely low backstreaming supports very high purity performance.
SantoVac® 5 PPE
Ultra-High Vacuum Diffusion Pump Fluid
Used as a vacuum diffusion pump fluid for ultra-high vacuum performance, operating efficiently, economically, and safely in demanding equipment.
SantoVac® OS-750 Advanced Formulation
PPE Fluid
A specially formulated polyphenyl ether fluid combining excellent thermo-oxidative properties with enhanced thermal stability characteristics.
Helpful Resources
Talk to Technical Support
Connect with our application experts for your specific needs.
FAQ
Expert guidance and resources to help you find the right solution.
What are PFAS, and why are companies replacing PFAS-based lubricants?
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a class of synthetic chemicals widely used in industrial fluids and lubricants — including PFPE (perfluoropolyether) vacuum and high-temperature fluids — valued for their chemical and thermal stability. The problem is environmental persistence: PFAS don't break down naturally, have been detected contaminating water supplies, and are now the target of expanding regulatory bans worldwide. Companies are moving away from PFAS-based lubricants for four converging reasons: tightening regulations, contamination and liability concerns, the need for sustained thermal performance, and long-term system reliability. Replacing PFAS-based fluids proactively protects a business against supply disruption and compliance risk as bans take effect.
What is the best PFAS-free alternative to PFPE vacuum and high-temperature fluids?
PPE (Polyphenyl Ether)-based fluids are a proven PFAS-free alternative to PFPE in many demanding applications. PPE chemistry delivers the properties that made PFAS fluids attractive — very low volatility, high thermal stability, chemical inertness, and radiation resistance — without the environmental persistence and regulatory liability of fluorinated compounds. SantoLubes PPE-based fluids replace PFAS-based lubricants in ultra-high vacuum systems, diffusion pumps, contamination-sensitive manufacturing, and advanced thermal-stability applications, helping companies maintain performance while supporting compliance with current PFAS bans and regulations.
Will switching from a PFAS-based fluid to a PPE alternative reduce performance?
In many applications, no. PPE-based fluids are engineered to match or exceed the performance characteristics that made PFAS fluids the previous standard. For vacuum applications, SantoVac® 5 PPE produces ultra-high vacuum of 5×10⁻¹⁰ torr or greater — performance competitive with or superior to PFPE diffusion pump fluids. PPE fluids also deliver excellent thermo-oxidative stability, low volatility, and high-purity options for contamination-sensitive work. The right PPE grade is selected based on your specific operating conditions, which is why matching the fluid to the application is essential — SantoLubes engineers can evaluate whether a PPE alternative meets or exceeds your current PFAS fluid's performance in your system.
Which SantoLubes PFAS alternative products are available?
SantoLubes offers three primary PPE-based PFAS alternatives. SantoVac® 5P ULTRA is a high-purity PPE-derived diffusion pump fluid for contamination-free ultra-high vacuum environments, with extremely low backstreaming due to its very high purity. SantoVac® 5 PPE is the proven ultra-high vacuum diffusion pump fluid, operating efficiently and economically to produce 5×10⁻¹⁰ torr or greater at 25°C. SantoVac® OS-750 is a specially formulated PPE fluid combining excellent thermo-oxidative properties with enhanced thermal stability for demanding high-temperature applications. Each is available with technical data sheets and safety data sheets for evaluation and qualification.
Do PPE fluids help my company comply with PFAS regulations and bans?
PPE-based fluids can help support compliance by reducing or eliminating dependence on PFAS-based fluids in regulated applications. As PFAS bans expand across jurisdictions — affecting manufacturing, electronics, aerospace, and industrial sectors — replacing fluorinated fluids with PPE alternatives removes a source of regulatory exposure and the associated contamination liability. It's important to note that compliance obligations vary by region, application, and the specific regulations that apply to your operation, so companies should verify their requirements against current local rules. SantoLubes provides regulatory documentation and technical support to help you evaluate how PPE alternatives fit your compliance strategy.
How do I transition my equipment from a PFAS-based fluid to a PPE alternative?
Transitioning from a PFAS-based fluid to a PPE alternative typically involves matching the replacement fluid to your system's operating parameters, properly cleaning and flushing the equipment to remove residual fluorinated fluid, and qualifying the new fluid under your operating conditions. The complexity depends on your application — a vacuum diffusion pump changeover differs from a high-temperature process system. Compatibility, purity requirements, and performance validation all factor into a successful transition. Rather than treating it as a simple drop-in swap, work with SantoLubes application engineers to select the correct PPE grade and plan a changeover that protects equipment performance and avoids cross-contamination between the old and new fluids.
Are PPE-based PFAS alternatives suitable for contamination-sensitive applications like semiconductor manufacturing?
Yes. High-purity PPE fluids are specifically suited to contamination-sensitive applications. SantoVac® 5P ULTRA is formulated for contamination-free ultra-high vacuum environments, with its very high purity producing extremely low backstreaming — a critical requirement in semiconductor fabrication, precision optics, and analytical instrumentation where any fluid migration onto a work surface causes defects or measurement errors. For these applications, PPE chemistry offers a dual advantage: it delivers the cleanliness and stability the process demands while removing the PFAS regulatory and contamination liability that increasingly complicates fluorinated fluid use in advanced manufacturing.
