An Insight into Hydraulic Fluids

Hydraulic fluids, commonly known as hydraulic oil, make up the medium for power transfer in hydraulic machinery. Most of the hydraulic fluids are based on a basic mineral oil and water. It is a non-compressible liquid that is used to transfer the power applied within one part of the machinery to other.

The functioning of hydraulic machines is based on the basic principle of physics and is quite relevant for a hydraulic machine to use non-compressible liquid rather than just using water. Although most of the liquids are nearly incompressible, but here by incompressible we want the fluid used to be non-tangible, which stays for a longer period of time and which offers a better transmission of power.

Properties of Hydraulic Fluids

The key feature of hydraulic fluid is to transmit power within the hydraulic machine. The other features of hydraulic oil may include protection of machine parts, reducing friction, heat transfer, etc.

• Lubrication – Hydraulic fluids provide lubrication to the machine. They maintain a thin film of viscous liquid around the machine parts ensuring proper lubrication. They are fluids at low temperature with doesn’t hinders with the movement of the machinery. They are corrosion resistant as well as possess anti-wear characteristics.
• Sealing Medium – One special feature of hydraulic fluids may be its sealing functionality. They have a viscosity fit for creating a sealing effect within the machinery reducing chances of leakage, and they also provide stability to the machinery.
• Power Control – Hydraulic fluids are non-compressible which makes them the most suitable fluids to be used as a power controller within hydraulic machines. They are less volatile in nature which helps prevent unnecessary mishaps.
• Heat Transfer – Being a liquid has its own benefits heat transfer is one of them. Hydraulic oil helps with transfer of excess heat generated within the machine preventing internal parts from damaging.

Impact of Hydraulic Oil on Environment

Hydraulic oil doesn’t pose much harm towards the environment. The primary feature of hydraulic fluids is that they are biodegradable. Biodegradation is referred to as the process of breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms. Since hydraulic fluids are made up of mineral oils and water, they are mostly organic which makes them biodegradable. 

Thus they are easy to be degraded by the actions of nature reducing their chances of being clogged as deposits within the earth’s crust for thousands of years. Another major feature of hydraulic fluids is that they are less toxic than other vehicle oils or greases. The lower toxicity ensures less harmful effects. Hydraulic fluids are non-toxic or less toxic thus they aren’t much harmful for the nature or humans in general.

Application of Hydraulic Fluids

Hydraulic fluids are used in various places. They can be used a brake oil, power steering fluid, or can be used for safety or as aircraft hydraulic fluids.

Power Steering Fluid

These types of fluids are generally a mineral or silicone based fluids. These fall into a sub-category of hydraulic fluids. Transmission fluids are used for cooling, lubrication and hydraulic properties for viscous coupling.

Brake Fluids

Brake fluids also fall into the sub-category of hydraulic oils. They have a high boiling point. They perform well under high temperature conditions and thus makes a great combination to be used within the braking systems of automobiles.

Types of Hydraulic Fluids/Oils

The Base Fluid

The first usage of hydraulic oil is quite ancient dating back to the ancient Egypt. The Egyptians used water as the hydraulic fluid. It was much later in the nineteenth century that saw the usage of mineral oils as hydraulic fluid. The base stock of hydraulic oil is derived from rapeseed, commonly known as canola oil. It is used for its properties of heat and fire resistance. Canola oil is able to work under high-temperature conditions due to which it is widely used in the manufacturing of hydraulic fluids.

Biodegradable Hydraulic Fluids

The usage of biodegradable hydraulic fluid is necessary when working with environment sensitive applications such as farming or marine dredging. Such biodegradable hydraulic fluids are heavily based upon Canola Oil. These oils are used due to their biodegradable nature in case of oil spills.

Anti-Wear Hydraulic Fluid

Anti-wear hydraulic oils are made from petroleum base fluids and contain additional Zinc additives. These are used or the protection of the hydraulic machine. Hydraulic oil suppliers take special care while providing the exact oil needed depending upon the different applications. The most general usage of hydraulic oil is seen within automobiles. The suspensions of the vehicles imply heavy usage of hydraulic fluids. Other than automobiles, hydraulic fluid is often used in brakes, and in hydraulic machinery like hydraulic press or hydraulic cranes.

Inzin Automotive Marketplace is a manufacturer of automotive hydraulic oil and tractor hydraulic oil. We provide automotive products and services across all the states of India. Hydraulic Fluid is an essential part of any machinery and the oil used should be of the specifications mentioned by the automobile manufacturers. The functioning of a vehicle is responsibility of the user as well as the proper maintenance assures long term performance.