In the air compressor market you will encounter the phrases Class 0 and “technically oil-free,” both of which are used to identify how clean the air is after compression. Compressors are ranked based on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which sets forth worldwide standards for proprietary, industrial and commercial purposes.
Compressed air has its own set of ISO standards. Depending on the ultimate air purity, compressors can be ranked from ISO Class 0-5, the best of which is Class 0. Click here for more information on this.
- Class 0 oil free compressors can guarantee 100 percent oil-free air. While they may have a higher initial price point, these compressors are much safer for sensitive applications and are the cleanest choice because no contamination will reach your end product.
- “Technically oil-free” compressors have a high chance for contamination, because they are actually lubricated compressors that include oil-removing filters. These compressors are ranked as ISO Class 1.
Atlas Copco was the first manufacturer to be awarded the ISO 8573-1 CLASS 0 (2010) certification. The company also holds the ISO 22000 certification for our oil-free production facility in Antwerp, Belgium.