Hydraulic Oil Products and Information

What is Hydraulic Oil?

Hydraulic oils come in a variety of formulations, each suited for specific industrial needs, and are generally categorized into two main types: mineral-based hydraulic oils and synthetic-based hydraulic oils.

1. Mineral Oils: Derived from petroleum, these are the most common type of hydraulic oils.
2. Synthetic Oils: Chemically produced, offering enhanced performance in extreme conditions.

Additional categories include:

• Fire-resistant Fluids: Ideal for environments where fire hazards exist.
• Biodegradable Hydraulic Oils: Environmentally friendly options designed to minimize ecological impact.
• Food-grade Hydraulic Oils: Specially formulated for equipment in the food processing industry.
• STOU (Super Tractor Oil Universal) and UTTO (Universal Tractor Transmission Oil): Universal mobile hydraulic oils used in agricultural machinery.
• Aircraft Hydraulic Fluids: Designed to meet the stringent requirements of aviation equipment.

Types of Hydraulic Fluids

The performance and efficiency of your hydraulic system depend heavily on the properties of the hydraulic oil you choose. These include:

• High-Temperature Performance: The ability to operate efficiently under extreme heat without breaking down. Our high-temp oils like Synkhem HLP 100 ensure reliability even under the most demanding conditions.
• Biodegradability: Ensures minimal environmental impact in case of leaks. For industries needing eco-friendly solutions, our biodegradable oils are a top choice.
• Oxidation Stability: Resistance to oxidation prevents oil breakdown and ensures longer service life.
• Viscosity Index: A crucial factor, it measures the change in viscosity as the temperature fluctuates, ensuring the oil maintains optimal performance across different temperature ranges.
• Anti-Wear Additives: Essential for protecting hydraulic systems from wear and damage, especially in high-pressure environments. Our oils are engineered with anti-wear additives to extend your equipment's lifespan.

Properties of Hydraulic Fluid

The performance and efficiency of your hydraulic system depend heavily on the properties the hydraulic oil needs to be compatible with specific operational demands. These include:

• High-Temperature Performance: The ability to operate efficiently under extreme heat without breaking down.
• Biodegradability: Ensures minimal environmental impact in case of leaks.
• Oxidation Stability: Resistance to oxidation prevents oil breakdown and ensures longer service life.
• Viscosity Index: A crucial factor, it measures the change in viscosity as the temperature fluctuates, ensuring the oil maintains optimal performance across different temperature ranges.

Our Synkhem range of hydraulic oils provides superior resistance to extreme conditions, ensuring your equipment runs smoothly and lasts longer.

Applications of Hydraulic Systems

Examples of equipment and machinery that use hydraulic oil include excavators, backhoes, hydraulic brakes, power steering systems, automatic transmissions, garbage trucks, aircraft flight control systems, lifts, and industrial machinery.

Hydraulic systems like the ones mentioned above will work most efficiently if the hydraulic fluid used has zero compressibility. Synkhem's hydraulic oils are engineered to meet these demands, offering consistent and reliable performance across various applications.

Choosing the Right Hydraulic Oil

Selecting the appropriate hydraulic oil is essential for improving equipment efficiency, minimizing wear, and extending the lifespan of machinery. Temperature range is a key consideration; multi-grade oils are ideal for equipment that operates under extreme temperature fluctuations. Synkhem HLP VI 68 is an excellent option for such systems, ensuring consistent performance under changing temperatures.

ISO VG, DIN, or SAE requirements also play a vital role, with SAE oils offering detergency benefits, though they may impact filterability. Following OEM recommendations ensures the right viscosity grade and performance specifications, as manufacturers often provide specific guidelines to maximize equipment performance.

Hydraulic Oil Classification and Ratings

Hydraulic oil classifications define performance standards and help users choose the right fluid for their applications. ISO VG, DIN, and SAE grades each have distinct requirements tailored to different equipment and operating conditions. End-users frequently set oil ratings or approvals to ensure the hydraulic oil meets necessary specifications, safeguarding their machinery and optimizing efficiency.

Our Synkhem oils adhere to these stringent standards, providing you with top-tier products designed for the toughest conditions.

Maintenance and Analysis of Hydraulic Oils

Hydraulic oil analysis, also known as condition monitoring, is a proactive approach that maximizes oil usage before replacement is necessary. This involves sending oil samples to a lab, where they are tested for contaminants, viscosity changes, and degradation.

Regular analysis helps determine whether the oil remains effective or requires changing. By maintaining the health of your hydraulic oil, you can significantly extend the lifespan of your equipment and prevent costly repairs or unexpected downtime. Synkhem offers tailored oil analysis services to help keep your machinery running at peak performance.

Environmental Considerations

With growing environmental standards, biodegradable hydraulic oils have been developed to offer ecological compatibility. These oils are suitable for both stationary and mobile applications in industries such as forestry, mining, tunneling, and earthmoving. Specifically, biodegradable hydraulic fluids based on rapeseed vegetable oil are ideal for environmentally sensitive operations, reducing the ecological impact of hydraulic machinery.

Temperature Range and Viscosity

Hydraulic oils are engineered to retain stability across various temperature ranges, making them suitable for both hot and cold environments. The viscosity index (VI) is a critical measure of how a hydraulic fluid's viscosity changes with temperature.

Oils with a higher VI are less affected by temperature fluctuations, maintaining consistent performance. A viscosity index conversion chart can be useful in determining oil behavior under different temperature conditions, helping operators choose the best fluid for their machinery's operating environment.

Our Synkhem HLP range offers high viscosity index oils that are perfect for ensuring smooth operations across varied temperatures.

Viscosity Index and Conversion Chart

The viscosity index (VI) is a critical property of hydraulic oil, as it measures how much the oil's viscosity changes with temperature. Oils with a high viscosity index are more stable and experience fewer viscosity changes when exposed to temperature fluctuations, making them ideal for equipment that operates in varying environmental conditions.

A lower viscosity index means the oil’s viscosity will vary more drastically with temperature, which can affect machinery performance. Conversely, a higher viscosity index provides greater temperature stability, ensuring optimal performance across a wide temperature range.

The chart below illustrates how viscosity changes with temperature for hydraulic oils with different viscosity indices. This information can help operators select the right oil for their specific needs, ensuring both efficiency and longevity of equipment.