AMSOIL PC Series Synthetic Compressor Oil is a premium, long-life lubricant engineered to improve compressor efficiency and reduce maintenance costs. It is formulated with the highest quality, thermally stable synthetic base oils and premium non-detergent additives to provide maximum protection in high-temperature applications. It can last up to 8,000 hours, significantly reducing the downtime and waste-oil disposal costs associated with more frequent oil changes.
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Product data sheets
View, download, or save a copy of the Product Data Sheet or Safety Data Sheet for AMSOIL ISO 100 100% Synthetic Compressor Oil.
AMSOIL ISO 100 100% Synthetic Compressor Oil (product code PCK, SAE 40) is the heaviest viscosity grade in the AMSOIL PC Series, formulated for large reciprocating compressors, single-piston single-stage vacuum pumps, and other hot-running industrial applications that call for an ISO VG 100 lubricant. Thermally stable synthetic base oils and an ashless, non-detergent additive package deliver high-temperature stability, low varnish potential, and protection against wear, foam, water contamination, and rust.
Long-life varnish and oxidation resistance
Varnish causes lost efficiency and mechanical breakdowns in hot compressor crankcases. Membrane Patch Colorimetry testing (ASTM D7843) on PC Series Synthetic Compressor Oil run in industrial rotary-screw compressors with a 200°F oil discharge temperature showed ultra-low varnish potential at 8,000 hours, while a leading competitor synthetic compressor oil reached critical varnish potential at 6,228 hours under the same conditions. The same antioxidant chemistry that produced that result is built into the ISO 100 grade, which resists carbon, varnish, and acid formation in hot reciprocating and vacuum-pump service.
Wear protection for heavy reciprocating loads
ISO VG 100 viscosity holds a robust hydrodynamic film between piston rings, cylinder walls, rod bearings, and crankshaft journals under heavy duty cycles. The anti-wear chemistry held the Four-Ball Wear Test (ASTM D4172, 40 kg, 1200 rpm, 75°C, 1 hour) scar to 0.45 mm on the ISO 100 grade, supporting longer component life in large industrial compressors, blowers, and vacuum pumps that operate at the upper end of the PC Series viscosity range.
Water separation and corrosion control
Condensation is a constant in hot, humid compressor service, and emulsions trapped in the sump drive rust and bearing damage. The ISO 100 grade is anti-rust fortified and hydrolytically stable. Demulsibility testing (ASTM D1401) separated 40 ml of oil and 40 ml of water with 0 ml cuff in 10 minutes, and Rust Tests (ASTM D665 A and B) passed in both fresh water and synthetic sea water. Copper Strip Corrosion (ASTM D130) returned a 1A rating, the cleanest grade on the scale.
Foam control and high flash point
Foam control matters in vane and reciprocating crankcases where churning oil meets compressed air. ASTM D892 Sequence I, II, and III foam tests returned 0/0, 0/0, 0/0 on the ISO 100 grade, meaning the formula breaks foam quickly and stays broken between strokes. A 262°C (504°F) flash point and 274°C (525°F) fire point (ASTM D92) and very low carbon-forming tendency reduce ignition-promoting hot-spot risk in high-discharge-temperature service, although the ISO 100 grade is not classified as a fire-resistant lubricant.
Improved efficiency and reduced oil consumption
Low-friction synthetic base oils and stable viscosity help reduce energy draw on the compressor motor, and the formula resists viscosity increase from oxidation across long service runs. In an 8,000-hour run in an industrial rotary-screw compressor under matched operating conditions, the air-release and foam-resistance properties of PC Series cut oil consumption by 35 percent compared with a leading competitor synthetic compressor oil. The same low-foam, low-volatility chemistry carries into the ISO 100 grade.
Recommended applications and service intervals
ISO 100 is the AMSOIL PC Series grade selected when the equipment manufacturer specifies ISO VG 100 or SAE 40 compressor oil, particularly for large reciprocating compressors, single-piston single-stage vacuum pumps, hot-climate industrial compressors, and heavy-duty blowers, bearings, gears, and pumps that operate at the upper end of the PC Series viscosity range.
Reciprocating compressor crankcases and cylinders (single and multistage) where the manufacturer specifies ISO VG 100 or SAE 40.
Single-piston, single-stage vacuum pumps that call for an ISO 100 lubricant.
Industrial blowers, gears, bearings, and pumps requiring an ISO VG 100 synthetic.
Not recommended for "breathing air" compressors, refrigeration compressors, or service with polycarbonate or PVC plastics, butyl, ethylene-propylene, or SBR rubber, and not compatible with polyalkylene glycol or silicone oils.
Drain intervals of up to 8,000 hours can be expected in PC Series service under normal operation, subject to operating conditions and maintenance practices. Monitoring through periodic oil analysis is recommended for any long-drain interval, and the equipment manufacturer recommendations on filter changes, condensate management, and viscosity selection should be followed. For best performance, flush the compressor of old oil, remove any carbon deposits from internal components per the manufacturer instructions, and change all filters prior to installation. For viscosity selection across the PC Series ISO 32, 46, 68, and 100 grades, refer to the compressor oil guide.
Order AMSOIL ISO 100 100% Synthetic Compressor Oil
AMSOIL ISO 100 100% Synthetic Compressor Oil ships in quart bottles (PCKQT-EA), case of 12 quarts (PCKQT-CA), 5-gallon pails (PCK05-EA), and 55-gallon drums (PCK55-EA). The product is backed by the AMSOIL Limited Warranty. To confirm the correct lubricants and filters for a specific engine or piece of equipment, use the AMSOIL vehicle lookup guide, and to compare the four ISO grades in the PC Series for rotary-screw, vane, centrifugal, and reciprocating service, see the compressor oil guide. Order Now.
ISO VG 100 is the International Standards Organization viscosity grade, set by ASTM D2422, that targets a kinematic viscosity of approximately 100 centistokes at 40°C. AMSOIL ISO 100 100% Synthetic Compressor Oil measures 100.2 cSt at 40°C and 13.4 cSt at 100°C with a viscosity index of 133, placing it at the heavy end of the PC Series for hot, high-load, low-speed compressor, and vacuum-pump duty.
What kind of oil does a large reciprocating air compressor take?
Most large industrial reciprocating air compressors call for an ISO VG 100 or ISO VG 68 non-detergent compressor oil, with the choice driven by duty cycle, ambient temperature, and manufacturer specification. When the equipment manufacturer specifies ISO VG 100 or SAE 40, AMSOIL ISO 100 100% Synthetic Compressor Oil (PCK) is the matching grade. Lighter rotary-screw and vane applications typically use ISO 32, 46, or 68 instead.
Can synthetic motor oil replace dedicated compressor oil?
Motor oil is engineered with detergent and dispersant packages that are intentionally absent from compressor oil. In a hot compressor crankcase those detergents emulsify water and accelerate varnish and carbon-deposit formation. AMSOIL ISO 100 100% Synthetic Compressor Oil is an ashless, non-detergent formulation built specifically for compressor and vacuum-pump service, and is the appropriate choice when the manufacturer specifies ISO VG 100 or SAE 40 compressor oil.
How long can the oil run between changes?
Drain intervals of up to 8,000 hours can be expected in PC Series service under normal operation, subject to operating temperature, duty cycle, contamination, and filter maintenance. Periodic oil analysis is the standard method for verifying remaining useful life on long intervals, and the equipment manufacturer schedule for filter replacement and condensate draining should still be followed.
Is the ISO 100 grade safe for vacuum pumps?
The ISO 100 grade is applicable for single-piston, single-stage vacuum pumps that call for an ISO VG 100 lubricant. It is not recommended for "breathing air" or refrigeration compressor service, and it is not compatible with polyalkylene glycol or silicone oils, polycarbonate or PVC plastics, or butyl, ethylene-propylene, or SBR rubber seals.
Will it mix with the oil already in the crankcase?
AMSOIL ISO 100 100% Synthetic Compressor Oil is compatible with petroleum oils and most synthetic oils, seals, paints, and materials. For best performance, drain the old oil, remove any carbon deposits from internal components per the compressor manufacturer instructions, and change all filters prior to installation. Avoid mixing with polyalkylene glycol or silicone-based lubricants.
