MASTER TABLE – AIRCRAFT FLUIDS, OILS, LUBRICANTS & CHEMICALS

  

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MASTER TABLE – AIRCRAFT FLUIDS, OILS, LUBRICANTS & CHEMICALS

Category	Item	Typical Use in Aircraft
Aviation Fuels (ATF)	Jet A	Commercial aviation fuel (widely used)
	Jet A-1	International standard turbine fuel
	JP-5	Naval aircraft (high flash point)
	JP-8	Military aircraft (multi-purpose fuel)
	Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)	Blended eco-friendly fuel
Engine Oils (Gas Turbine)	Synthetic turbine oil (ester-based)	Lubrication of bearings, gears in jet engines
	High-temperature turbine oil	Engine hot section lubrication
	MIL-PRF-23699 oils	Standard military turbine oil
	MIL-PRF-7808 oils	Lower viscosity turbine oil
Hydraulic Fluids	Skydrol (phosphate ester)	Fire-resistant hydraulic systems
	MIL-PRF-5606	Mineral-based hydraulic fluid (legacy/military)
	MIL-PRF-83282	Synthetic hydrocarbon hydraulic fluid
	MIL-PRF-87257	Low-temperature hydraulic fluid
Gearbox & Transmission Oils	Synthetic gear oils	Accessory gearbox lubrication
	EP (Extreme Pressure) oils	High load gear protection
Greases & Semi-Solid Lubricants	Lithium-based grease	General lubrication
	Calcium-based grease	Corrosion resistance
	Silicone grease	Seals and O-rings
	Fluorocarbon grease	High temperature & chemical resistance
	MIL-PRF-81322 grease	Aircraft multipurpose grease
Special Lubricants	Dry film lubricants (MoS₂, graphite)	Fasteners, sliding parts
	Anti-seize compounds	Thread protection under high temp
	Penetrating oils	Loosening seized components
Cooling Fluids	Avionics cooling fluids	Electronic system cooling
	Liquid cooling mixtures	Radar & power electronics
De-icing / Anti-icing Fluids	Type I de-icing fluid	Ice removal (ground)
	Type II/IV anti-icing fluid	Ice prevention
	Fuel system icing inhibitor (FSII)	Prevent fuel line icing
Solvents – General Cleaning	Isopropyl alcohol (IPA)	Surface cleaning, electronics
	Acetone	Degreasing, paint prep
	Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)	Strong solvent cleaning
	Toluene	Heavy-duty degreasing
	Naphtha	Oil/grease removal
Approved Aircraft Solvents	MIL-PRF-680 solvent	Standard aircraft degreasing
	AMS-approved cleaners	Aerospace certified cleaning
Degreasing Agents	Alkaline degreasers	Heavy oil removal
	Emulsion cleaners	General purpose cleaning
	Vapor degreasing fluids	Precision cleaning
Cleaning Agents – Exterior	Aircraft wash soaps	Exterior cleaning
	Corrosion removal compounds	Surface restoration
	Brighteners	Aluminum surface cleaning
Cleaning Agents – Interior	Cabin cleaners	Interior panels, seats
	Disinfectants	Hygiene maintenance
	Plastic cleaners	Windows, displays
Surface Preparation Chemicals	Pickling acids	Oxide removal
	Etchants	Surface preparation before coating
	Alkaline cleaners	Pre-treatment cleaning
Corrosion Prevention Compounds (CPC)	CPC sprays (light)	Temporary protection
	CPC coatings (heavy)	Long-term storage protection
	Water-displacing compounds	Moisture removal
Fuel System Chemicals	Biocides	Prevent microbial growth
	Fuel additives	Performance enhancement
	Leak detection fluids	Fuel system inspection
Fire Protection Fluids	Fire-resistant hydraulic fluids	Reduce fire risk
	Fire suppression agents	Engine/APU fire systems
Oxygen System Fluids	Oxygen-compatible lubricants	Oxygen valves and regulators
Waste & Maintenance Fluids	Lavatory fluids	Toilet systems
	Deodorizing chemicals	Cabin sanitation
Special Purpose Fluids	Leak detection fluids	System inspection
	Dye penetrant (NDT)	Crack detection
	Magnetic particle suspension	NDT inspection
	Ultrasonic couplants	NDT testing medium

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Engineering Perspective (Reality in Aircraft)

In aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner:

• Fuel capacity: ~100,000+ liters
• Hydraulic systems: Multiple independent circuits using fire-resistant fluids
• Engine oils: Operate at extreme temperatures (200°C+)
• Cleaning chemicals: Strictly controlled (compatibility is critical)
• NDT fluids: Essential for every inspection cycle

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Practical Insight (From QC / Overhaul Experience)

From real shop-floor experience, you will agree:

• Wrong solvent → seal damage or composite degradation
• Contaminated oil → bearing failure
• Improper grease → control system stiffness
• Skydrol leakage → paint damage and corrosion risk
• Cleaning is not cosmetic — it is inspection preparation

In aircraft maintenance, fluids are not just consumables —
they are functional elements of the system.

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A Very Important Engineering Truth

Most major failures are not due to design…

They are due to:

• contamination
• improper cleaning
• wrong fluid usage
• or incompatibility

A small mistake like using the wrong degreaser can:

• weaken a bonded joint
• damage a seal
• or initiate corrosion

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