Hydraulic fluid must be formulated to manage a variety of conditions. This includes high pressure, heat, and the need for exceptional lubrication in challenging and adverse working conditions.
Different types of equipment and applications using hydraulics need various chemical additives to enhance the performance of the oil or fluid. Choosing the best hydraulic fluid additive with a focus on the specific equipment and use is critical to ensuring top performance and extending the machine’s duty cycle.
Type of Hydraulic Fluid
The best hydraulic fluid additive needs to be the correct option for the specific type of equipment. This could include a full synthetic hydraulic oil, which is often recommended in mission-critical applications with high pressure and heat.
Water-based hydraulic fluids are often selected when there is a need to control the potential of fire in the application. Different viscosities and monograde or multigrade hydraulic oils are also considered when choosing an additive based on the specific equipment and manufacturer’s recommendations.
Anti-Wear Additives
For most applications, the best hydraulic fluid additive will include anti-wear benefits. In addition to anti-wear, these additives can also feature corrosion and water separation inhibitors, fire-resistant fluids, rust and oxidation reduction, and ashless and biodegradable products.
In addition, detergents can be added to hydraulic oils to further emulsify water and to improve the suspension of contaminants in the oil. This helps to reduce the settling of contaminants through the system and allows for filtering of the fluid for extended life.
