HYDRAULIC FLUID - HYDRONOUS

HYDRAULIC FLUID

2.1     Introduction

Hydraulic fluids, also called hydraulic liquids, are the medium by which power is transferred in hydraulic machinery. Common hydraulic fluids are based on mineral oil or water. Examples of equipment that might use hydraulic fluids include excavators, brakes, power steering systems, transmissions, backhoes, garbage trucks, aircraft flight control systems and industrial machinery. Hydraulic systems like the ones mentioned above will work most efficiently if the hydraulic fluid used has low compressibility.

2.2       FUNCTIONS AND PROPERTIES

The primary function of a hydraulic fluid is to convey power. In use, however, there are other important functions of hydraulic fluid such as protection of the hydraulic machine components. The table below lists the major functions of a hydraulic fluid and the properties of a fluid that affect its ability to perform that function.

Figure-2.1

Table- 2.1

2.3 COMPOSITION

2.3.1   BASE STOCK

The original hydraulic fluid, dating back to the time of ancient Egypt, was water. Beginning in the 1920s, mineral oil began to be used more than water as a base stock due to its inherent lubrication properties and ability to be used at temperatures above the boiling point of water. Today most hydraulic fluids are based on mineral oil base stocks.

Natural oils such as rapeseed (also called canola oil) are used as base stocks for fluids where biodegradability and renewable sources are considered important.

Other base stocks are used for specialty applications, such as for fire resistance and extreme temperature applications. Some examples include: glycol, esters, organophosphate ester, polyalphaolefin, propylene glycol, and silicone oils.

2.3.2   OTHER COMPONENTS

Hydraulic fluids can contain a wide range of chemical compounds, including: oils, butanol, esters (e.g. phthalates, like DEHP, and adipates, like bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate), polyalkylene glycols (PAG), phosphate esters (e.g. tributyl phosphate), silicones, alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons, polyalphaolefins (PAO) (e.g. polyisobutenes), corrosion inhibitors, etc.

2.3.3   BIODEGRADABLE HYDRAULIC FLUIDS

Environmentally sensitive applications (e.g. farm tractors and marine dredging) may benefit from using biodegradable hydraulic fluids based upon rapeseed (Canola) vegetable oil when there is the risk of an oil spill from a ruptured oil line. Typically these oils are available as ISO 32, ISO 46, and ISO 68 specification oils. ASTM standards

ASTM-D-6006, Guide for Assessing Biodegradability of Hydraulic Fluids and ASTM-D-6046, Standard Classification of Hydraulic Fluids for Environmental Impact are relevant.

2.3.4   BRAKE FLUID

Brake fluid is a subtype of hydraulic fluid with high boiling point, both when new (specified by the equilibrium boiling point) and after absorption of water vapor (specified by wet boiling point). Under the heat of braking, both free water and water vapor in a braking system can boil into a compressible vapor, resulting in brake failure. Glycol-ether based fluids are hygroscopic, and absorbed moisture will greatly reduce the boiling point over time. Silicone based fluids are not hygroscopic, but their inferior lubrication is not suitable for all braking systems.

2.3.5 SAFETY

Because industrial hydraulic systems operate at hundreds to thousands of PSI and temperatures reaching hundreds of degrees Celsius, severe injuries and death can result from component failures and care must always be taken when performing maintenance on hydraulic systems.

Fire resistance is a property available with specialized fluids.

2.3.6 TRADE NAMES

Some of the trade names for hydraulic fluids include Tellus, Durad, Fyrquel, Houghton-Safe, Hydraunycoil, Lubritherm Enviro-Safe, Pydraul, Quintolubric, Reofos, Reolube, and Skydrol.

•           How Stuff Works                     This commercial website provides no technical  

                                                              explanations of technical topics.

•           www.wikipedia.com                Working of single acting and double acting cylinder.

•           www.wikipedia.com                Working of  single acting and double acting pumps.

•           www.festo.com                        This site is a good free source for information about the

                                                              calculations and designing of cylinder & pumps.

•           www.wikipedia.com                 Piston seals.

•           www.google.com                      Hydraulic Fluid.

Books Considered :

•           Strength of materials                 By  Dr. Sadhu Singh, Art. 12.9 Beam Column, pg. 566.

•           Machine Dersign                       By  R.S.Khurmi, Art.4.3,4.4,4.9  pg.88.