FLUID POWER TECHNOLOGY

RADZI ABDUL RASIH

FACULTY OF MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING, UITMCPP
radzi_rasih@ppinang.uitm.edu.my

radzi_rasih@ppinang.uitm.edu.my

Chapter 2
Principle of Hydraulics

radzi_rasih@ppinang.uitm.edu.my

Objectives

Identify fluid properties.

Application of Pascal Law and Continuity Equation
Hydraulic circuit analysis using Bernoulli Equation
Frictional loss through pipes and fittings.

radzi_rasih@ppinang.uitm.edu.my

Energy and Power in

Hydraulics System

Functions of a Hydraulic
Fluid
Transmitting the energy to do the
work of the system is the primary
function of liquid in a hydraulic
system
Other functions include:
Lubricate moving parts
Seal clearance between moving parts
Dissipate heat

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
When selecting a fluid, consider its:
Good lubricity
Viscosity
Viscosity stability
Ability to operate
in cold
temperatures

Oxidation resistance
Ability to separate
from water and dirt
Resistance to
foaming
Fire resistance
6

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
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

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
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
8

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
Lubrication reduces friction

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
A film of hydraulic oil fills
irregularities in contact surfaces

10

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
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

11

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
A liquid with a high viscosity resists
flow, while one with low viscosity
flows easily

12

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
Fluid provides a seal between parts

13

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
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

14

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
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 20 Fahrenheit below the
coldest-expected ambient system
operating temperature
15

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
Pour point is important in cold
weather

16

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
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

17

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
Typical operating temperature range
for hydraulic fluid in the reservoir is
110F to 140F
Operating the system in this
temperature range will result in an
acceptable fluid service life
18

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
Maintaining the
proper reservoir fluid
temperature is
important

19

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
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
20

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
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
21

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
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

22

Performance Characteristics of a
Hydraulic Fluid
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
23

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

24

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
25

Commonly Used
Hydraulic Fluids
Biodegradable fluids are important
when reducing environmental impact

26

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%-5% oil
Extremely fire resistant
Requires typical additives
Subject to freezing

27

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

28

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
29

Commonly Used
Hydraulic Fluids
Water-in-oil emulsion fire-resistant
fluids contain approximately 40%
water in an oil base
Not to be confused with soluble-oil
emulsions and high-water-content fluids
Called inverted emulsions because water
is suspended in oil, rather than oil in
water
30

Commonly Used
Hydraulic Fluids
Water-glycol fire-resistant hydraulic
fluids usually contain 40% to 50%
water with the remainder a polyglycol
Polyglycol is similar to automotive
antifreeze
Fluids adversely affect some seal
materials and paint
31

Commonly Used
Hydraulic Fluids
All synthetic fluids provide excellent
fire resistance
Phosphate esters are the most common
synthetic hydraulic fluids

32

Commonly Used
Hydraulic Fluids
All synthetic fluids meet the basic
requirements of a hydraulic fluid:
Appropriate viscosity
Good high-pressure performance
Good lubrication

33

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
34

Hydraulic Fluid Additives

Chemicals are used as additives in
hydraulic fluids to increase the
stability and overall performance
of the fluid

35

Hydraulic Fluid Additives

Extreme-pressure and
anti-wear agents help prevent metalto-metal contact of bearing surfaces
to reduce friction and wear
Viscosity-index improvers reduce
changes in viscosity as the fluid
changes temperatures
36

Hydraulic Fluid Additives

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

37

Hydraulic Fluid Additives

Oxidation of hydraulic fluids is caused
by:
Heat
Exposure to air
Catalytic effects of metal

Oxidation-inhibitor additives reduce

oxidation of fluids
38

Hydraulic Fluid Specifications

A calibrated,
glass capillary
viscometer is
used to
determine
kinematic
viscosity
39

Hydraulic Fluid Specifications

ISO outlines 20 viscosity grades
Grades are based on kinematic viscosity
tests
Each grade can vary plus or minus 10% of
stated viscosity

40

Hydraulic Fluid Specifications

Conducting a Saybolt Universal
Viscosity test

41

Hydraulic Fluid Specifications

Specific gravity and API gravity provide
comparisons between the weights of a
volume of a substance and an equal
volume of distilled water
Specific gravity can be used with any
material
API system was developed primarily for
petroleum oils
42

Hydraulic Fluid Specifications

Distilled water has
a specific gravity
of 1.0
Distilled water has
an API gravity of
10.0
43

Hydraulic Fluid Specifications

Flash point is the temperature at
which the fluid vapors form a
flammable mixture with air
Fire point is the temperature at which
the fluid is vaporizing rapidly enough
to support combustion
44

Hydraulic Fluid Specifications

Flash and fire
points are
important factors
for many
applications

45

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
46

Handling and Maintaining

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

47

Handling and Maintaining

Hydraulic Fluids
Store drums on
their sides and
clean the tops
before opening
the bungs

48

Handling and Maintaining

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

49

Handling and Maintaining

Hydraulic Fluids
Cylinder rod boots help keep dirt out
of the system on rod retraction

50

A & A Manufacturing Co., Inc., Grotite

Handling and Maintaining

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
110F and 140F
51

Handling and Maintaining

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
52
Higher-than-required relief valve setting

Handling and Maintaining

Hydraulic Fluids
A well-designed reservoir helps
maintain proper fluid temperature

53

Continental Hydraulics

Glossary
Additive
A chemical compound added to a
hydraulic fluid to modify its
characteristics and improve system
performance.

Anti-wear agent
A chemical compound added to hydraulic
fluid to help reduce wear on bearing
surfaces during hydraulic system
operation.
54

Glossary
Biodegradable fluid
A hydraulic fluid formulated to degrade in
nature to reduce environmental damage
from spillage.

Capillary viscometer
A test instrument containing a capillary
tube calibrated to provide information
adequate to determine the viscosity of
fluid.
55

Glossary
Emulsion
A stabilized mixture of oil and water that
typically has a milky appearance. An
example is fire-resistant hydraulic fluid,
which is classified as oil-in-water or
water-in-oil.

Fire point
The lowest temperature at which a
volatile substance vaporizes rapidly
enough to produce an air-vapor mixture
that will continuously burn when ignited. 56

Glossary
Fluid
A substance such as air, water, or oil that
easily flows and tends to assume the
shape of the container in which it is
stored.

Friction
The force that retards or resists the
movement of two touching materials.
57

Glossary
Kinematic viscosity
A precise indicator of the viscosity of a
liquid. The rating is based on the time
required for a fixed amount of a fluid to
flow through a calibrated viscometer
under a fixed pressure and temperature.

58

Glossary
Oxidation inhibitors
Materials added to hydraulic fluids to
slow the complex chemical reactions that
oxidize the fluid.

Phosphate ester
A synthetic hydraulic fluid that has a high
flash point and provides excellent fire
resistance.
59

Glossary
Polyglycol
A fluid similar in chemical makeup to
automotive antifreeze. Used in fireresistant, water-glycol hydraulic fluid.

Pour point
The lowest temperature at which a fluid
will flow as defined by a standardized test
procedure.
60

Glossary
Rust inhibitor
One of a group of additives used in
hydraulic fluids that are designed to
protect metal parts by neutralizing acids
or forming a film on the metal surfaces to
protect them from damage.

61

Glossary
Saybolt viscometer
A viscosity test apparatus that measures
the number of seconds needed for a
heated oil to drain through a calibrated
orifice to fill a sample flask. No longer
considered an accurate method of
measuring viscosity.

62

Glossary
Specific gravity
The ratio of the weight of a given volume
of a material to the weight of an equal
volume of water at 4 Celsius.

Viscosity
The internal resistance to flow of the
molecules of a liquid.

63

Glossary
Viscosity index number
A number that expresses the relative
change in viscosity that can be expected
for a given change in temperature of a
liquid.

64