Hydraulic oil is also known as hydraulic fluid. Hydraulic oils are normally used in hydraulic machines and systems to transmit power. Hydraulic oil will act as a power transfer medium between moving parts (pump, actuator, cylinders, motors, and valves) of a hydraulic machine and also ensures efficient lubrication through which it enables the smooth and seamless operation of hydraulic machines.
Hydraulic oils are formulated using high-quality mineral or synthetic-based base oil along with advanced additives. These additives give the characteristics and chemical properties to the hydraulic oils such as high performance, oxidation stability, resistance against corrosion, and thermal stability. ISO 68 Hydraulic oil and ISO 32 Hydraulic oil are the most commonly used hydraulic oils in industrial hydraulic machines and equipments
Choosing the right hydraulic oil for industrial machines is a key factor in assessing performance, efficiency, productivity, reliability, durability, speed, load capacity, response time, increased maintenance interval, increased uptime, consistency, noise level, vibration resistance, service life, etc.
Today, 95% of hydraulic oils available in the international markets are manufactured and exported from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, selecting the best hydraulic oil for your industrial machines from the UAE is always a tough task because more than five hundred hydraulic oil suppliers are currently available in the UAE. Currently Most of the hydraulic oil suppliers in UAE offer different grades of hydraulic oil with different viscosities and it’s all available again under different brand names which makes the hydraulic oil selection process more complex. Let’s see some of the importance of hydraulic oil in machines, equipment, and systems
- Power Transfer
Power transferring capability is one of the most important features of hydraulic oil, which allows power transfer between hydraulic components such as cylinders, pumps, motors, and control valves. Hydraulic oil ensures a smooth transfer of energy between hydraulic components thereby increasing the efficiency and performance of hydraulic machines.
- Lubrication
Hydraulic oil can ensure efficient lubrication among the hydraulic components of a hydraulic machine. A proper lubrication will reduce the friction between hydraulic components and enable smooth and seamless working of hydraulic machines at maximum efficiency and performance. Decrease in friction will also reduce the wear and tear of hydraulic components which will help to increase the lifespan of hydraulic machines.
- Heat Dissipation
Most of the hydraulic oil grades have excellent heat dissipation capabilities, this feature helps to release the heat generated inside the hydraulic machines. Heat will be generated inside the hydraulic machines due to the non-stop operation and this can lead to overheating damage to the hydraulic machine components and even cause sudden breakdowns of hydraulic machines thereby increasing the downtime. Hydraulic oil has the ability to absorb the heat generated inside the hydraulic machine and transfer the absorbed heat away from the hydraulic components. This prevents overheating and maintaining an optimum level of operating temperature.
- Seal Protection
Seal protection is another important feature of hydraulic oil used in industrial machines. Hydraulic oil has the ability to prevent deposit formation and resist the other particle contaminants that cause the integrity of seals. Efficient protection of the seal is a very critical feature of hydraulic oil because improper seal protection can lead to severe oil leakage and it can cause an increase in friction and wear & tear of hydraulic components.
- Corrosion Prevention
Hydraulic oil in hydraulic machines plays a significant role in protecting its components from corrosion and rust. The effects of corrosion can affect the integrity and operation of hydraulic machines and their components. All the hydraulic oil grades available from UAE are formulated with advanced anti-corrosion additives, which will create a protective barrier on the surface of hydraulic machine components and prevent these metal parts from corrosion and rust.
Preventing corrosion and rust can increase the lifespan of important components of a hydraulic machine (pipe, valves, cylinder) operating in moisture-exposed conditions, ensuring they remain robust and reliable over time.
- Pressure Transfer
Pressure transfer in a hydraulic machine is considered as the power transfer between the hydraulic components during their normal operation. This pressure transfer is the property that is closely related to the quality of hydraulic oil used in those machines. Hydraulic oil ensures the accurate transfer of pressure within the hydraulic parts and allows for precise control and movement of machinery.
- Operational Efficiency
The operational efficiency of a hydraulic machine is highly dependent on the quality and specification of hydraulic oil. Hydraulic oil enhances the efficiency of a hydraulic machine by providing proper and consistent lubrication to the moving components of the hydraulic machine. The efficient lubrication also reduces the friction between the moving parts of a hydraulic machine. All these factors can contribute to improving the overall efficiency of hydraulic machines and equipment.
- Improve the Lifespan
Hydraulic oil provides efficient lubrication to the moving components of a hydraulic machine, thereby reducing the friction and wear & tear of these moving parts (pumps, valves, and cylinders) and also prevents overheating issues, mechanical failures, sudden breakdowns, and damages. All these beneficial factors contribute to improving the overall life span of hydraulic machines.
In conclusion, hydraulic oil is considered the focal point for the optimum performance and longevity of hydraulic machines with the help of the above-mentioned features of hydraulic oil. Hydraulic oil is highly capable of improving the operational efficiency of a hydraulic machine through the precise and accurate transfer of pressure and power between the moving components of a hydraulic machine. Seal protection capability is another important feature of hydraulic oil, protecting the machine seals and preventing the chances of oil leakages and failures. Heat dissipation is also another important feature of hydraulic oil, it has the ability to absorb the heat produced inside the hydraulic machine and dissipate this heat without affecting the hydraulic components, preventing damages and failures. Furthermore, Hydraulic oil plays an important role in the smooth and seamless operation of hydraulic machines, without any damages and breakdowns in any kind of environmental conditions.
Whatever the features of hydraulic oil, it’s also important to choose the correct hydraulic oil grade for your hydraulic machine based on checking manufacturer recommendations. It may vary from one machine to another and also depend on the application for which it is used.