Understanding Bio Hydraulic Oil And Its Benefits Over Conventional Fluid

A hydraulic fluid function is to provide a means of transfer of power in a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic fluid must lubricate the pumps and motors without impairing the other circuit components. This article will discuss how bio-hydraulic oil is more effective than conventional mineral oils.

Bio Hydraulic Oil – Benefits of Biodegradable Hydraulic Fluids

With today’s products being biodegradable and environmentally friendly, manufacturers have been pressed to find traditional product alternatives. Bio hydraulic fluids are one of the products that manufacturers have found since mineral-based fluids are hazardous. Such waste is no longer acceptable or cost-efficient. There are several benefits to using bio-hydraulic fluids as opposed to conventional fluids. The most important is that they prevent pollutants from contaminating the soil, ground, and water as they are derived from vegetable oils.

Vegetable oils can be used as lubricants in their natural forms but have several advantages and disadvantages, specifically when considered for industrial and machinery lubrication. Vegetable oils have extraordinary lubricity; it’s so potent that friction materials must be added in some applications. With a viscosity index (VI) of 223, vegetable oils can’t be compared to 90 to 100 for most mineral oils, 126 for polyalphaolefin (PAO), and 150 for polyglycol. Vegetable oils have high flash points of 326°C, compared to 200°C for most minerals with 221°C for polyalphaolefin (PAO) and 177°C for polyglycol.

Vegetable oils, on the other hand, lack adequate oxidative stability for lubricating applications. Poor oxidative stability means that if the oil is not treated, it can oxidize easily, being dense and polymerizing into a plastic-like consistency. This issue can be solved by chemical changes such as partial hydrogenation and fatty acid shifting. Another downside is the high pour point of vegetable oils. The high pour point issue can be overcome by incorporating chemical additives and mixing with other fluids possessing lower pour points. This process is known as winterization.

Why Use Bio Hydraulic Oil?

Citizen associations, the marine, forestry, and agriculture sectors, and governments are more concerned than ever about environmental conservation. Using bio hydraulic oil helps to protect the atmosphere and decreases the future need for mineral oils.