Laboratory vacuum pumps are used extensively throughout chemistry, biology, and physics laboratories around the world. By creating a vacuum environment, many tasks such as evaporation, filtration, and distillation can be accelerated. Many biological laboratories may also employ vacuum pumps for freeze-drying or vacuum-assisted drying to preserve their samples.
Vacuum pumps are available in several types, each of which is suited to different tasks in the lab. One of the most common lab vacuum pumps is the rotary vane pump which relies on sliding vanes to direct vapor flow through the pump. These pumps typically rely on oil for lubrication and to create a vacuum seal, however, due to the relatively short oil life caused by chemical contamination oil-less or hybrid rotary pumps are becoming increasingly popular.
A popular alternative to rotary vane pumps is diaphragm pumps. Diaphragm pumps do not require pump oil which gives them higher corrosion resistance while requiring less service. With an ultimate vacuum as low as 0.3 Torr, diaphragm pumps are sufficient for most evaporation applications in the lab.
For applications requiring high or ultra-high vacuum conditions, turbomolecular pumps offer ultimate vacuum pressures lower than 1x10-10 mbar. Turbomolecular pumps are typically reserved for select applications such as mass spectrometry, thin-film deposition, and surface analysis.
When considering a new vacuum pump, chemical resistance is often one of the most important considerations to consider after ultimate vacuum. Many applications require exposure to aggressive solvents, acids, or other chemicals that could degrade the pump components over time. To combat this degradation, many pumps are available that are made of chemically resistant materials such as PTFE to offer enhanced chemical resistance.
Below you will find a few of our top-rated laboratory vacuum pumps, you can compare specifications or request a quote from leading suppliers.