VACUUBRAND RC 6 Chemistry-HYBRID Vacuum Pump – Brand New
The VACUUBRAND RC 6 Chemistry-HYBRID Vacuum Pump is a high-performance laboratory vacuum pump engineered for demanding applications requiring deep vacuum, strong pumping speed, and improved resistance to corrosive and condensable vapors. Combining a two-stage rotary vane pump with a two-stage chemistry diaphragm pump, the RC 6 delivers an ultimate vacuum of 2 × 10⁻³ mbar (1.5 × 10⁻³ Torr) and maximum pumping speed up to 4.1 cfm at 60 Hz, while dramatically reducing contamination and corrosion inside the oil-sealed portion of the pump.
This brand-new VACUUBRAND RC 6 Chemistry-HYBRID pump is available from American Instrument Exchange and is particularly well suited for freeze drying, lyophilization, vacuum drying, fine-vacuum distillation, chemical processing, solvent evaporation, Schlenk-line chemistry, and other applications involving aggressive or condensable vapors. The hybrid design provides the deep vacuum performance associated with a rotary vane pump while addressing one of the major limitations of conventional oil-sealed pumps: contamination of the pump oil by solvent vapors, water vapor, oxygen, and corrosive gases.
VACUUBRAND RC 6 Chemistry-HYBRID Vacuum Pump Key Features
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Brand-new VACUUBRAND RC 6 Chemistry-HYBRID vacuum pump
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Combines a two-stage rotary vane pump with a two-stage chemistry diaphragm pump
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Designed for deep vacuum applications involving corrosive and condensable vapors
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Ultimate vacuum of 2 × 10⁻³ mbar / 1.5 × 10⁻³ Torr
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Maximum pumping speed of 4.1 cfm at 60 Hz
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5.9 m³/h maximum pumping speed at 50 Hz
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Ultimate partial vacuum down to 4 × 10⁻⁴ mbar
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Integrated gas ballast
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Water vapor tolerance significantly greater than 40 mbar
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Reduced internal corrosion compared with conventional rotary vane pumps
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Oil changes typically reduced 90% or more
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May eliminate the need for a cold trap in many practical applications
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KF DN 16 vacuum inlet
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Quiet operation at approximately 50 dBA
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Telescopic design simplifies routine maintenance
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Available brand new from American Instrument Exchange
VACUUBRAND RC 6 Chemistry-HYBRID Vacuum Pump Overview
The VACUUBRAND RC 6 was developed to solve a fundamental problem encountered when conventional rotary vane pumps are used in chemistry laboratories. Rotary vane technology can generate excellent deep vacuum, but solvent vapors, water vapor, oxygen, and corrosive gases entering the pump can contaminate the vacuum oil and attack internal components.
The RC 6 addresses this problem by combining two different vacuum technologies in one integrated system.
A two-stage rotary vane pump generates the deep process vacuum required for demanding laboratory applications. A chemically resistant two-stage diaphragm pump simultaneously evacuates the oil reservoir of the rotary vane section. Maintaining the oil reservoir under reduced pressure lowers the partial pressure of solvent vapors and helps keep them below their condensation points. It also substantially reduces the concentration of oxygen and corrosive gases inside the oil-sealed section.
The result is a vacuum pump capable of achieving the deep vacuum of a laboratory rotary vane pump while providing significantly improved vapor handling and corrosion resistance for chemistry applications.
For laboratories routinely processing solvents or aggressive vapors, this can translate directly into longer oil life, reduced pump maintenance, improved reliability, and lower lifetime operating costs.
VACUUBRAND RC 6 Chemistry-HYBRID Vacuum Pump Key Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Manufacturer |
VACUUBRAND |
| Model |
RC 6 |
| Equipment Type |
Chemistry-HYBRID Vacuum Pump |
| Pump Technology |
Rotary Vane + Chemistry Diaphragm |
| Rotary Vane Stages |
2 |
| Chemistry Diaphragm Stages |
2 |
| Maximum Pumping Speed at 60 Hz |
4.1 cfm / 6.9 m³/h |
| Maximum Pumping Speed at 50 Hz |
3.5 cfm / 5.9 m³/h |
| Ultimate Vacuum |
2 × 10⁻³ mbar / 1.5 × 10⁻³ Torr |
| Ultimate Vacuum with Gas Ballast |
1 × 10⁻² mbar / 7.5 × 10⁻³ Torr |
| Ultimate Partial Vacuum without Gas Ballast |
4 × 10⁻⁴ mbar / 3 × 10⁻⁴ Torr |
| Water Vapor Tolerance |
Significantly greater than 40 mbar / 30 Torr |
| Oil Reservoir Pressure |
Approximately 18 mbar / 13.5 Torr |
| Recommended Oil |
VACUUBRAND B-Oil |
| Oil Capacity |
340–500 mL (0.36–0.53 qt.) |
| Maximum Inlet Pressure |
1.1 bar absolute |
| Maximum Outlet Pressure |
1.1 bar absolute |
| Inlet Connection |
KF DN 16 |
| Outlet Connection |
Hose Nozzle DN 8–10 mm |
| Rated Motor Power |
0.30 kW |
| Motor Speed |
1500 rpm at 50 Hz / 1800 rpm at 60 Hz |
| Operating Ambient Temperature |
12°C to 40°C |
| Storage Temperature |
-10°C to 60°C |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) |
526 × 302 × 226 mm (20.7 × 11.9 × 8.9 in.) |
| Weight |
25 kg (55 lb.) |
| Sound Pressure Level |
Approximately 50 dBA
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| Protection Class |
IP40 |
| Electrical Requirements |
100–120 VAC, 50/60 Hz on U.S. configuration |
| Condition |
Brand New |
Energy Efficiency & Operating Costs
The principal operating-cost advantage of the RC 6 is not simply electrical efficiency—it is the reduction in oil contamination, oil changes, corrosion, and vacuum-pump maintenance.
VACUUBRAND reports that the Chemistry-HYBRID design can reduce required oil changes by 90% or more compared with a conventional rotary vane pump operating under similar chemistry conditions. By continuously evacuating the rotary vane pump's oil reservoir, the diaphragm stage reduces the concentration of solvent vapors, corrosive gases, and oxygen that can degrade pump oil and internal components.
In many practical applications, VACUUBRAND also notes that a separate cold trap may no longer be necessary. Whether a cold trap should be used depends on the specific solvent, vapor load, process, safety requirements, and desired solvent recovery.
For laboratories running vacuum processes frequently, reduced oil consumption, fewer oil changes, less downtime, and longer service intervals can make the RC 6 particularly economical over its operating life.
Specifications compiled from current VACUUBRAND manufacturer literature and American Instrument Exchange product information.
Common Applications
The VACUUBRAND RC 6 is particularly well suited for freeze drying, lyophilization, vacuum drying, vacuum ovens, fine-vacuum distillation, chemical synthesis, Schlenk-line chemistry, solvent evaporation, high-vacuum degassing, vacuum manifolds, and other laboratory processes involving corrosive or condensable vapors.
Its combination of deep vacuum and improved chemistry resistance makes it especially valuable in laboratories where a conventional rotary vane pump provides adequate vacuum performance but experiences excessive oil contamination or maintenance due to solvent exposure.
Ideal Laboratory Types
The VACUUBRAND RC 6 is an excellent choice for pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology laboratories, organic chemistry laboratories, medicinal chemistry groups, university research laboratories, chemical synthesis facilities, contract research organizations, materials science laboratories, pilot plants, analytical laboratories, and industrial R&D facilities.
It is particularly attractive for laboratories operating freeze dryers, vacuum ovens, Schlenk lines, vacuum manifolds, distillation equipment, evaporators, and other vacuum-dependent systems where chemical vapors are routinely encountered.
Chemistry-HYBRID Vacuum Technology
The defining feature of the RC 6 is VACUUBRAND's Chemistry-HYBRID design.
The two-stage rotary vane section provides the high pumping speed and deep ultimate vacuum required by fine-vacuum processes. Meanwhile, the chemically resistant diaphragm pump maintains reduced pressure within the rotary vane pump's oil reservoir.
Lowering the pressure above the pump oil helps prevent solvent vapors from condensing into the oil. It also reduces oxygen and corrosive-gas concentrations within the rotary vane section.
This approach provides several important benefits:
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Reduced contamination of vacuum pump oil
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Significantly longer oil service life
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Reduced internal corrosion
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Improved performance with condensable vapors
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Fewer oil changes
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Reduced maintenance downtime
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Deep vacuum performance comparable to a conventional two-stage rotary vane pump
The hybrid system is therefore particularly useful when laboratories need both deep vacuum and chemical-vapor tolerance.
Deep Vacuum Performance
Despite its enhanced chemistry capabilities, the RC 6 delivers serious high-vacuum performance.
The pump reaches an ultimate total vacuum of 2 × 10⁻³ mbar (1.5 × 10⁻³ Torr) without gas ballast and an ultimate partial vacuum of 4 × 10⁻⁴ mbar (3 × 10⁻⁴ Torr).
Maximum pumping speed reaches approximately 4.1 cfm at 60 Hz, providing sufficient throughput for many laboratory freeze dryers, drying chambers, vacuum manifolds, and fine-vacuum systems.
This combination allows the RC 6 to evacuate laboratory equipment efficiently while continuing to pull down into the fine-vacuum range required by demanding applications.
Vapor Handling & Gas Ballast Performance
Condensable vapors are among the greatest challenges for oil-sealed vacuum pumps. When solvent or water vapor condenses in the oil, vacuum performance can deteriorate while corrosion and oil degradation accelerate.
The RC 6 addresses this problem through both its Chemistry-HYBRID architecture and integrated gas ballast.
VACUUBRAND specifies water vapor tolerance as significantly greater than 40 mbar, substantially improving the pump's ability to operate under vapor-intensive laboratory conditions.
When the gas ballast is open, ultimate vacuum is approximately 1 × 10⁻² mbar. Operators can therefore use gas ballast during vapor-intensive portions of a process and close it when maximum ultimate vacuum is required.
RC 6 for Freeze Drying and Lyophilization
The RC 6 is particularly attractive for laboratory freeze-drying applications because lyophilization combines two challenging vacuum requirements: deep operating pressure and substantial water-vapor exposure.
The two-stage rotary vane section provides the vacuum required to support sublimation, while the hybrid diaphragm system helps protect the oil reservoir from vapor contamination.
Actual compatibility depends on freeze dryer chamber size, condenser performance, process load, manufacturer vacuum requirements, and required pumping speed. The vacuum requirements of the specific freeze dryer should always be verified before selecting a pump.
RC 6 for Vacuum Ovens and Chemical Drying
The RC 6 is also an excellent candidate for vacuum ovens and drying chambers used with materials that release water, solvents, or other condensable vapors.
Reducing chamber pressure lowers the boiling point of volatile compounds, allowing drying at lower temperatures. Because the RC 6 is specifically engineered to reduce contamination from condensable and corrosive vapors, it can provide an important durability advantage over a standard rotary vane pump in chemistry-intensive drying applications.
RC 6 vs. RZ 6 – Which VACUUBRAND Pump Should You Choose?
The VACUUBRAND RC 6 and RZ 6 provide very similar ultimate vacuum and pumping capacity, but they are optimized for different operating environments.
The RZ 6 is a conventional two-stage rotary vane pump and is an excellent choice for clean or relatively benign high-vacuum applications. It provides deep vacuum, strong pumping speed, and straightforward rotary vane operation.
The RC 6 adds a two-stage chemistry diaphragm pump that continuously evacuates the rotary vane oil reservoir. This makes the RC 6 the stronger choice when the process routinely involves solvents, corrosive gases, condensable vapors, or chemically demanding vacuum applications.
For a laboratory running clean vacuum apparatus, an RZ 6 may be entirely appropriate. For a chemistry laboratory repeatedly exposing its pump to solvent vapors, the RC 6 can substantially reduce oil contamination and maintenance.
RC 6 vs. Chemistry Diaphragm Pumps
Chemistry diaphragm pumps provide excellent chemical resistance and oil-free operation, making them ideal for rotary evaporation, filtration, aspiration, and many solvent-handling applications. Their limitation is ultimate vacuum: most cannot reach the deep pressures produced by a two-stage rotary vane pump.
The RC 6 bridges that gap.
It combines the deep vacuum capability of rotary vane technology with the vapor-handling advantages of a chemistry diaphragm pump, making it particularly valuable for processes where an oil-free diaphragm pump cannot reach the required pressure.
Recommended Laboratory Applications
The VACUUBRAND RC 6 is recommended for:
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Freeze drying and lyophilization
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Vacuum ovens
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Vacuum drying chambers
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Fine-vacuum distillation
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Schlenk-line chemistry
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Organic synthesis
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Solvent evaporation
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Chemical process development
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High-vacuum degassing
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Vacuum manifolds
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Pharmaceutical research
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Materials research
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Pilot-scale vacuum processing
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Fine-vacuum applications involving condensable or corrosive vapors
Pump selection should always consider required ultimate vacuum, pumping speed, solvent compatibility, vapor load, process safety, and exhaust-management requirements.
Brand-New VACUUBRAND Vacuum Pumps from American Instrument Exchange
American Instrument Exchange offers the VACUUBRAND RC 6 brand new, providing laboratories with access to VACUUBRAND's specialized Chemistry-HYBRID vacuum technology from an established laboratory equipment supplier.
American Instrument Exchange also offers additional new VACUUBRAND diaphragm, chemistry diaphragm, and rotary vane pumps. This allows laboratories to select a vacuum pump based on actual process requirements—from routine vacuum filtration with the ME 1, to chemistry-resistant moderate vacuum with the ME 1C, deep clean vacuum with the RZ 6, and chemically demanding deep-vacuum applications with the RC 6.
Shipping and Installation Considerations
The VACUUBRAND RC 6 should be installed on a stable, level surface in a well-ventilated laboratory location with adequate clearance for cooling and maintenance.
The U.S. configuration is designed for 100–120 VAC, 50/60 Hz operation. Buyers should nevertheless verify the exact nameplate voltage and electrical configuration of the pump before installation.
The vacuum inlet uses a KF DN 16 small-flange connection. Properly sized high-vacuum tubing should be used to minimize conductance losses between the RC 6 and the connected equipment.
Laboratories processing hazardous, corrosive, or flammable vapors should evaluate appropriate exhaust routing, condensate recovery, ventilation, and process-specific safety controls.
Related Laboratory Equipment
Laboratories purchasing Chemistry-HYBRID vacuum pumps frequently also require freeze dryers, vacuum ovens, rotary evaporators, vacuum manifolds, Schlenk-line equipment, recirculating chillers, cold traps, chemical fume hoods, and other laboratory vacuum equipment. American Instrument Exchange offers new and refurbished laboratory equipment to support pharmaceutical development, organic chemistry, biotechnology, materials science, analytical research, and industrial laboratory applications.
VACUUBRAND RC 6 Chemistry-HYBRID Vacuum Pump Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Chemistry-HYBRID vacuum pump?
The VACUUBRAND RC 6 combines a two-stage rotary vane pump with a two-stage chemistry diaphragm pump. The rotary vane pump produces deep vacuum while the diaphragm pump maintains the rotary vane oil reservoir under reduced pressure, helping reduce solvent condensation, oil contamination, oxidation, and internal corrosion.
What is the ultimate vacuum of the VACUUBRAND RC 6?
The RC 6 reaches an ultimate total vacuum of 2 × 10⁻³ mbar (1.5 × 10⁻³ Torr) without gas ballast.
What is the pumping speed of the RC 6?
The RC 6 provides a maximum pumping speed of approximately 4.1 cfm at 60 Hz and 5.9 m³/h at 50 Hz.
Is the VACUUBRAND RC 6 oil-free?
Not entirely. The RC 6 contains an oil-sealed two-stage rotary vane pump combined with a chemistry diaphragm pump. The hybrid system is specifically designed to reduce contamination of the rotary vane pump oil.
How does the RC 6 reduce oil changes?
The chemistry diaphragm stage maintains the rotary vane pump's oil reservoir under vacuum. This reduces the partial pressure of solvent vapors and the concentration of oxygen and corrosive gases inside the oil reservoir. VACUUBRAND reports that oil changes can typically be reduced by 90% or more compared with rotary vane pumps alone.
Is the RC 6 suitable for corrosive chemical vapors?
Yes. Improved performance with corrosive and condensable vapors is one of the principal reasons for choosing the RC 6 instead of a conventional rotary vane pump. Chemical compatibility and appropriate exhaust handling should still be evaluated for the specific substances being processed.
Can the RC 6 be used with a freeze dryer?
Yes. The RC 6's deep ultimate vacuum, strong pumping speed, and enhanced water-vapor handling make it well suited for many laboratory freeze dryers and lyophilizers. Compatibility should be verified against the requirements of the specific freeze dryer.
Can the RC 6 be used with a vacuum oven?
Yes. The RC 6 is particularly attractive for vacuum ovens processing samples that release water, solvents, or other condensable vapors because its hybrid design helps reduce contamination of the rotary vane pump oil.
What is the difference between the RC 6 and RZ 6?
Both pumps provide similar deep-vacuum performance. The RZ 6 is a conventional two-stage rotary vane pump, while the RC 6 combines a two-stage rotary vane pump with a chemistry diaphragm pump. The RC 6 is therefore better optimized for applications involving corrosive and condensable chemical vapors.
Does the RC 6 require a cold trap?
Not necessarily. VACUUBRAND states that in practical operation a cold trap is often no longer necessary because of the Chemistry-HYBRID design. Whether a cold trap should be used depends on the process, solvent, vapor load, desired solvent recovery, and laboratory safety requirements.
How much vacuum pump oil does the RC 6 require?
The rotary vane section uses approximately 340 to 500 mL of VACUUBRAND B-Oil, depending on the operating oil level.
How loud is the VACUUBRAND RC 6?
VACUUBRAND specifies a sound pressure level of approximately 50 dBA, making the RC 6 relatively quiet for a pump capable of reaching the 10⁻³ mbar vacuum range.
Is this VACUUBRAND RC 6 refurbished or used?
No. This VACUUBRAND RC 6 Chemistry-HYBRID Vacuum Pump is brand new, not refurbished or previously used, and is available from American Instrument Exchange.
