Biodegradable Hydraulic Fluid
Saturated and unsaturated ester fluids for machines working over water, in water catchment areas, on flood defence work and in forestry.
Features
- Chosen where a hose failure would put fluid into water or protected ground, which is often a condition of the contract rather than a preference.
- Saturated esters tolerate heat and moisture better than vegetable-based fluids and last considerably longer in service.
- Moisture control is essential, because water promotes hydrolysis and the fluid degrades from the inside without looking different.
- Conversion from mineral oil needs flushing and a seal and hose review, since residual mineral oil above a few percent undermines the biodegradability claim.
- Fluid condition is monitored by sampling; the useful life is shorter than mineral oil and has to be planned for.
Specifications
| Figure | Typical range | Unit | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ester type | saturated synthetic ester | decides thermal and moisture tolerance | |
| Viscosity at 40 degrees C | 46 | mm2/s | matched to the pump as with mineral oil |
| Residual mineral oil after conversion | below 2 | % | above this the environmental claim no longer holds |
| Water content limit | 0.1 maximum | % | water drives hydrolysis of the ester |