Hydraulic Fluid 3 Documents

Hydraulic Fluid
The Energy Transmitting Medium

Functions of a Hydraulic
Fluid
 The primary function of liquid in a hydraulic
system is to transmit the energy to do the work.
© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 2 Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.
Functions of a Hydraulic
Fluid
 The fluid is just as important as any of the
hardware components
Performance Characteristics
of a Hydraulic Fluid
When selecting a fluid, consider its:
– Lubricating power – Oxidation resistance
– Viscosity – Ability to separate
– Viscosity stability from water and dirt
– Ability to operate in – Resistance to foaming
cold temperatures – Fire resistance
 Friction is the resistance to movement between
two surfaces in contact
 The amount of friction depends on:
– Roughness of the surfaces in contact
– Force pushing the surfaces together
 Lubrication reduces friction between two
surfaces by placing a layer of liquid between
them
 A properly selected liquid produces a film that
separates the surfaces and allows them to freely
move past each other
 A film of hydraulic oil fills irregularities in
contact surfaces
 Viscosity is the internal resistance to flow

of a liquid
 A liquid with the proper viscosity provides
a strong film that:
– Greatly reduces friction between the bearing
surfaces of component parts
– Provides a seal between those parts
 A liquid with a high viscosity resists flow,
while one with low viscosity flows easily
 Fluid provides a seal between parts
 Viscosity changes as temperature and
pressure of a liquid change
– Warm fluid flows easier than cold fluid
– Viscosity index is the rate of viscosity change
in relation to temperature change
– The higher the viscosity index number, the
lower the rate of viscosity change
 Pour point is the ability of a fluid to flow
when cold
– Important to consider if a hydraulic system is
exposed to cold weather
– Should be 10° Centigrade below the coldest-
expected ambient system operating temperature
 Pour point is important in cold weather
Atlas Copco
 Oxidation rate of a hydraulic fluid is affected by:
– Temperature
– Air entrainment in the fluid
– Contact with metals used in the construction of a
system
– Contaminants, such as dirt and water, that enter a
system
 Typical operating temperature range for
hydraulic fluid in the reservoir is 40°C to 60°C
 Operating the system in this temperature range
will result in an acceptable fluid service life
 Maintaining the proper
reservoir fluid temperature
is important
 Petroleum-based fluids must have the
ability to easily separate from water
– Select a fluid that resists emulsification
– Drain accumulated water from the bottom of
the reservoir
 Water that enters a system having a water-
based fluid will modify the oil/additive/water
ratio
– The correct ratio is required to maintain proper
fluid viscosity and other critical properties
– Re-establishing the ratio requires fluid testing and
adjustment of the elements to their proper
proportions
 Foaming increases fluid oxidation
– Caused by air being drawn into system inlet lines
or churned into reservoir fluid
– Increases air/fluid contact because of bubble
surface area
 The possibility of fire exists to some extent in
many hydraulic applications
– Petroleum-based fluids can supply adequate safety
levels in many systems
– Fire-resistant fluids using water or synthetic bases
are required when higher fire protection is needed
Commonly Used
Hydraulic Fluids
 Although water is readily available and
inexpensive, it is not used alone:
– Poor lubricant
– Promotes rust
– Freezes
– Rapidly evaporates at temperatures within the
operating range of many typical hydraulic systems
Commonly Used
Hydraulic Fluids
 Most common hydraulic fluid in use consists
of petroleum base blended with additives to
produce the desired operating properties
Commonly Used
Hydraulic Fluids
 Biodegradable hydraulic fluids reduce the
harmful effects of fluid spills on soil and
waterways
 Biodegradable fluids are:
– Primarily vegetable-based oils
– Easily broken down by organisms found in nature
Commonly Used
Hydraulic Fluids
 Biodegradable fluids are important when
reducing environmental impact
Grayling Recreation Authority, Hanson Hills Recreation Area
Commonly Used
Hydraulic Fluids
 Soluble-oil emulsion hydraulic fluids are
used in metal forging, extrusion equipment,
or other large applications
 Fluid designated as an oil-in-water emulsion
contains only 1% to 5% percent oil
– Extremely fire resistant
– Requires typical additives
– Subject to freezing
Commonly Used
Hydraulic Fluids
 Water-in-oil hydraulic fluids contain
approximately 60% oil and 40% water
– Limited anti-wear characteristics
– System operating pressures limited
– Has limited use because of instability and
maintenance needs
Commonly Used
Hydraulic Fluids
 Fire-resistant hydraulic fluids will not burn
without sustained exposure to an ignition
source
– Water-oil emulsions
– Water-glycol fluids
– Synthetic fluids
Commonly Used
Hydraulic Fluids
 All synthetic fluids meet the basic requirements
of a hydraulic fluid:
– Appropriate viscosity
– Good high-pressure performance
– Good lubrication
Commonly Used
Hydraulic Fluids
 Disadvantages of synthetic fluids include:
– Special seal material requirements
– Tendency to dissolve paint
– Environmental toxicity level must be carefully
considered before using in sensitive areas
Hydraulic Fluid Additives
 Chemicals are used as additives in
hydraulic fluids to increase the stability
and overall performance of the fluid
 Extreme-pressure and anti-wear agents help
prevent metal-to-metal contact of bearing
surfaces to reduce friction and wear
 Viscosity-index improvers reduce changes in
viscosity as the fluid changes temperatures
 Pour-point depressant allows the fluid to flow
freely at lower temperatures
 Pour point is especially important for fluids
used in systems that are exposed to winter
weather
 Pour point is the
temperature at
which a fluid no
longer moves
 Oxidation of hydraulic fluids is caused by:
– Heat
– Exposure to air
– Catalytic effects of metal
 Oxidation-inhibitor additives reduce oxidation
of fluids
 Demulsifier additives increase the fluid’s
surface tension
– Promote separation of water from petroleum-based
fluids
– Any water that enters the system separates more
quickly from the oil
 Antifoaming agents reduce surface tension
– Allow air bubbles to break down before a sufficient
quantity of foam is formed
– Foam causes operational problems in the system
 Rust and corrosion inhibitors protect the metal
parts of system components
– Rust inhibitors protect ferrous metals
– Corrosion inhibitors protect nonferrous metals
 Rust and corrosion inhibitors either:
– Neutralize acids
– Form a film on metal surfaces
Handling and Maintaining
Hydraulic Fluids
 Proper handling and maintenance of

hydraulic fluids reduces system operating
cost
– Extends the service life of fluids
– Reduces the amount of maintenance time spent
in cleaning and flushing systems and replacing
system fluid
Hydraulic Fluids
 Storing new, unused hydraulic fluids is an

important consideration
– Store drums in a cool, clean, dry place
– Place drums on their sides to reduce chances of
contamination
– Carefully clean drum tops before removing
bungs
– Use clean fluid-transfer equipment
Hydraulic Fluids
 Store drums on their
sides and clean the
tops before opening
the bungs
Hydraulic Fluids
 Reservoir and cylinder rod areas are especially
susceptible to foreign materials entering the
system
– Seal around pipes entering the reservoir
– Filter air that enters the reservoir
– Use piston rod wiper rings or boots to prevent dirt
from entering through the cylinder rod seal
Hydraulic Fluids
 Cylinder rod boots help keep dirt out of the
system on rod retraction
A & A Manufacturing Co., Inc., Grotite
Hydraulic Fluids
 System operating temperature is a major factor
in the service life of hydraulic fluids
 Normal operating temperature of reservoir fluid
is typically between 40°C and 60°C
Hydraulic Fluids
 Factors causing system fluid to operate above
the recommended temperature are:
– High ambient temperatures
– Reservoir is too small
– Reservoir inlets and outlets too close
– System pump has excessive flow capacity
– Higher-than-required relief valve setting
– Slower-than-necessary circuit sequencing
Hydraulic Fluids
 A well-designed reservoir helps maintain
proper fluid temperature
2 (feet / second) =
0.6096 m / s
Continental Hydraulics

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Hydraulic Fluid

The Energy Transmitting Medium

 Viscosity is the internal resistance to flow

Grayling Recreation Authority, Hanson Hills Recreation Area

 Proper handling and maintenance of

 Storing new, unused hydraulic fluids is an

A & A Manufacturing Co., Inc., Grotite

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