Lebanese University - Faculty of Engineering - Branch III

CHAPTER

2 Applied Hydraulics
Properties of Fluids &
Fluids for hydraulic systems

Dr. Daoud Baalbaki

Semester VI - Spring 2014
Tuesday 15:30 – 17:00
Friday 12:00 – 13:30
 Applied Hydraulics
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, the student should be able to:

 Define three states of matter: Solid, liquid and gas.

 Define mass density, specific weight and weight density.
 Understand the meaning of the term pressure.
 Explain the difference between gauge and absolute pressures.
 Understand the difference between kinematic and absolute
viscosities.
 Differentiate between the ideal and real fluids.
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 Define bulk modulus

 Explain the dependence of viscosity on temperature.
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 Applied Hydraulics
Solids and Fluids (Liquids and Gases)

• The molecules of a solid are usually closer to each other than those
of a fluid.
• A fluid may be either a gas or a liquid.
• The molecules of a gas are much farther apart than those of a
liquid.
• a gas is very compressible, and when all external pressure is
removed, it tends to expand
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• A liquid is relatively incompressible

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 Applied Hydraulics
Density, Specific Weight, Specific Volume and Specific
Gravity
Density:

Specific weight:

Specific Volume:

Specific Gravity:
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 Applied Hydraulics
Pressure Definition :
Pressure is defined as force per unit area.

1 kg

1 kg
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LOW HIGH
PRESSURE
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 Applied Hydraulics
Pressure
The pressure developed at the bottom of a column of any liquid is
called hydrostatic pressure and is given by:
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 Applied Hydraulics
Atmospheric Pressure and Absolute Pressure
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 Applied Hydraulics
Compressibility and Bulk modulus
• Incompressible fluid, we use this term where the change in density
with pressure is so small as to be negligible. This is usually the
case with liquids.

• Bulk modulus is a measure of the compressibility of a liquid and is

required when it is desired to calculate oil volume changes for high
pressure

• Bulk modulus is analogous to the modulus of elasticity for solids

• The compressibility (a change in volume due to a change in

pressure) of liquid is inversely proportional to its bulk modulus
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 Applied Hydraulics
Example:
A 500 cm3 sample of oil is to be compressed in a
cylinder until its pressure is increased from 1 to 50
atm. If the bulk modulus of oil equals 1750
MPa, find the percentage change in its volume.
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 Applied Hydraulics
Types of fluid flow

1. Laminar flow: the flow is characterized by the smooth motion of

the laminae or layers.

2. Turbulent flow: In the turbulent flow region, the flow is

characterized by the random motion of the fluid particles in
three dimensions in addition to mean motion.

3. Transition flow: In the transition flow region, the flow is in

transition between laminar and turbulent flows.
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 Applied Hydraulics
Reynolds number

• It is a dimensionless number referred to as a compressible

or incompressible fluid flow.

• The Reynolds number set criteria by which the fluid

flow regime may be distinguished (Laminar, Turbulent, or
Transient)
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 Applied Hydraulics
Viscosity
The viscosity of a fluid is a measure of its resistance to shear
or angular deformation
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 Applied Hydraulics
Example
A 4.5 N force moves a piston inside a cylinder at a velocity of 3 m/s as
shown in Fig. 1.11. The piston of 10.16 cm diameter is centrally
located in the cylinder having an internal diameter of 10.17 cm. An
oil film separates the piston from the cylinder. Find the absolute
viscosity of the oil
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 Applied Hydraulics
Viscosity Index
• The viscosity of hydraulic oils decreases with increase in
temperature.
• The viscosity index (VI) is a relative measure of the change in the
viscosity of an oil with respect to a change in temperature.
• An oil having a low VI is one that exhibits a large change in
viscosity with a small change in temperature.
• A high VI oil does not change appreciably with a change in
temperature.
• The VI of any hydraulic oil can
be calculated as follows:
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 Applied Hydraulics
FLUIDS FOR HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS
Upon completion of this chapter, the student should be able to:

 List the various functions of hydraulic fluid.

 Explain the desirable properties of fluid.

 Differentiate between thick and boundary lubrication.

 Define neutralization number and demulsibility.

 Define fire point and flash point.

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 Explain the various hydraulic fluids.

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Explain the various
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Companies, Inc. resistant
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 Applied Hydraulics
Functions of Hydraulic Fluids
1. Power transmission: To transmit power, which is the
primary function.

2. Lubrication: To avoid metal - to-metal contact and

reduce friction.

3. Sealing: To avoid leakage.

4. Cooling: To carry away the heat generated

5. Contaminant removal: To carry along the

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contaminations to the tank.

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 Applied Hydraulics
Hydraulic Fluids Properties
1. I deal viscosity.
2. Good lubrication capability.
3. Demulsibility.
4. Good chemical and environmental stability.
5. I ncompressibility.
6. Fire resistance.
7. Low flammability.
8. Foam resistance.
9. Low volatility.
10. Good heat dissipation.
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11. Low density.

12. System compatibility.
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 Applied Hydraulics
Ideal Viscosity

The viscosity of a fluid should be high enough to seal

the working gap between the parts and prevent leakage
but should be low enough to cause easy flow
throughout the system.
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 Applied Hydraulics
Lubrication Capability
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 Applied Hydraulics
Demulsibility

• The ability of a hydraulic fluid to separate rapidly from

moisture and successfully resist emulsification is known as
“demulsibility.”
• I f an oil emulsifies with water, the emulsion promotes the
destruction of lubricating and sealant properties.
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 Applied Hydraulics
Good Chemical and Environmental Stability

 Mineral oils or petroleum- based oils contain carbon and

hydrogen molecules, which easily react with oxygen.

 The oxidation products are highly soluble in oil and being

acidic in nature they can easily corrode metallic parts.

 Oxidation leads to deterioration in the chemical nature of

fluid, which may form some chemical sledges.

 Rust is a chemical reaction between iron or steel and oxygen.

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 Corrosion is the chemical reaction between a metal and an acid

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 Applied Hydraulics
FireResistance

 There are many hazardous applications where human safety

requires the use of a fire - resistant fluid.

 A fire-resisting fluid is one that can be ignited but does

not support combustion.

 Flammability is defined as the ease of ignition and ability to

propagate the flame.
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 Applied Hydraulics
Foam Resistance

• Air can be present in a hydraulic fluid in two forms:

dissolved and entrained.
• Air bubbles rise to the surface too slowly, they will be drawn
into the pump intake. This can cause pump damage due to
cavitation.
• Another adverse effect of entrained and dissolve air is a great
reduction in the bulk modulus of the hydraulic fluid
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 Applied Hydraulics
System Compatibility

A hydraulic fluid should be inert to materials

used in or near the hydraulic equipment.
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 Applied Hydraulics
Additives in Hydraulic fluids

 Pour point depressant

 Viscosity index improver

 Defoamer (anti foam )

 Oxidation inhibitors

 Corrosion inhibitors
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 Anti-wear additives (to reduce the surface roughness)

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 Applied Hydraulics
Pour point depressant
• A pour point is the temperature at which a fluid
ceases to flow.

• The minimum operating temperature in a hydraulic

system should be at least 10°C above the pour point.

• Pour point depressants inhibit the formation of wax

crystals in the mineral oils and hence enhance the pour
points.

• There is a range of pour point depressant additives

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of different chemical species, important ones

are polymethacrylates, polyacrylates and alkalated
naphthalene.
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 Applied Hydraulics
Viscosity index improvers:

• These additives are long- chain polymers that stay in a coiled

form in the hydraulic fluid.

• At a low operating temperature, they have no effect on

viscosity.

• But when the temperature rises, these polymers uncoil and

intermesh causing a thickness effect in the fluid, thereby not
allowing the viscosity to drop down.
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 Applied Hydraulics
Defoamers(anti-foam additives):

• Certain additives, such as silicon polymer, act as defoamers.

• They cause a rapid breakdown of the foam by removing the

entrained air bubbles.
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 Applied Hydraulics
Oxidation inhibitors

• Oxidation causes the chemical reaction and formation of

acidic products that leads to corrosion problems.

• Certain additives having greater affinity for oxygen are added

so that they easily react with them than with oil.
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 Applied Hydraulics
Corrosion inhibitors

These additives form a thin film on the metal surface and shield
it from coming in direct contact with the chemicals/acids in the
fluid, thereby preventing corrosion problems.
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 Applied Hydraulics
Anti-wear additives:

• These are either long- chain polymer or extreme pressure

(EP) additives.

• The long- chain polymers are adsorbed on the metal surfaces,

causing a high local temperature and polish the surface.

• This helps in reducing the surface roughness, hence the wear

problem.
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 Applied Hydraulics
Types of Hydraulic Fluids
• Petroleum-based fluids: excellent lubricity, high demulsibility,
oxidation resistance, high viscosity index, protection against rust,
good sealing characteristics, easy dissipation of heat, easy cleaning
by filtration.
• Emulsions: Emulsions are a mixture of two fluids that do
not chemically react with others.
o Oil in water Emulsions: poor viscosity, and poor
lubrication properties.
o Water in Oil Emulsions: fire- resistant, good viscosity and
lubrication properties, at a higher temperature, water
evaporates and leads to the loss of fire- resistant properties.
• Water glycol: nonflammable fluid commonly used in aircraft
hydraulic systems, low lubrication ability, not suitable for high-
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temperature applications.

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 Applied Hydraulics
Types of Hydraulic fluids
Synthetic fluids: Synthetic fluid, based on phosphate ester, is fire -
resistant fluid, suitable for high- temperature applications, good
viscosity and lubrication characteristics, not suitable for low-
temperature applications.

Vegetable oils: environmental- friendly fluids, good lubrication

properties, moderate viscosity and are less expensive.
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