Viscosity index is a dimensionless number that represents how the viscosity of a hydraulic fluid changes with temperature. (It also applies to fluids like engine and automatic transmission oils, gear lubricants, and power-steering fluids.) The greater the viscosity index (VI), the smaller the change in fluid viscosity for a given change in temperature, and vice […]
Hydraulic Fluids
Why is viscosity important in hydraulic fluids?
Viscosity, according to Webster’s Dictionary, is the property of fluids and semi-fluids that defines its internal resistance to flow and shear. Or, in more simple terms, how thick or thin a fluid is. For example, water is less viscous than tar. (Fluids that have no resistance to shear stress are known as ideal fluids or […]
High viscosity mobile filtration systems from Schroeder Industries
Schroeder Industries released the MFD-MV High Viscosity Mobile Filtration Systems. The MFD-MV cart is capable of handling fluids of up to 5,000 SUS, at 6 or 10 gpm, bridging the gap between the regular carts and the MFD-HV high viscosity cart for fluids up to 10,000 SUS The MFD-MV is a compact, self-contained filtration system […]
How hydraulic fluids affect energy efficiency
The fluid is a key part of any hydraulic system. It transmits power, lubricates components, transfers heat, acts as a sealing agent, and helps minimize the harmful effects of contamination like dirt and water. And hydraulic fluid has become increasingly important when it comes to overall system efficiency. That’s because OEMs and equipment users are […]
How do hydraulic cylinders fail—contamination
Today’s fluid-power users, for the most part, are well aware that keeping hydraulic fluid clean is essential in preventing premature failures and unexpected downtime. Nonetheless, contamination remains a major cause of hydraulic-cylinder failure, particularly because it leads to seal failure and leaks. And it can come from several different and unexpected sources. Internal contamination is […]
What is hydraulic fluid conditioning – part 3
Your oil is wet. No, I didn’t skip 8th grade science class, where you learn how oil and water don’t mix. Okay, so it mixes a bit, if you agitate it enough, but then separates nicely with oil floating atop water. Your hydraulic fluid likes water as much as olive oil likes a bottle of […]
What is hydraulic fluid conditioning – part 2
Cool is relative. We humans enjoy a narrow bandwidth of ambient temperature, and we complain should we experience anything outside of a twenty degree span. To be fair, we can handle a few hundred degrees above absolute zero, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s nothing compared to the millions of degrees at the […]
Control your ultra high-pressure hydraulic hose kits
Working with high-pressure hydraulics is associated with a danger to your life. Therefore, it is vital to eliminate risk as far as possible. When using high-pressure products from CEJN, you can rest assured that you have made a safe choice, as we work on safety throughout the entire production chain using our knowledge gained from […]
What is hydraulic fluid conditioning – part 1
You’ll have to excuse my shade of indigo. I’m not sure if it’s more Smurf or Na’vi, but back when I first started writing about fluid power, I promised I’d talk about fluid conditioning until I’m blue in the face. I’ll live with the odd skin tone, because fluid conditioning is still one of […]
Easy to use hydraulic filter select tool
Bosch Rexroth has developed a filter sizing program that allows users to input various parameters such as fluid type, fluid viscosity, system temperature, and micron rating to evaluate the pressure drop across Rexroth filters. The sizing software (Filter Select) can be used to quickly determine the best filter for a specific hydraulic application and will […]
