Fire-Resistant Hydraulic Oils And Their Importance In Ensuring Safety
Have you ever wondered what will happen when your hydraulic oil is incompatible with your machinery’s operating temperatures? The outcomes will never be favorable for your equipment’s smooth functioning. Firstly, it poses a high risk of igniting the hydraulic oil. Moreover, it can even result in the deterioration of hydraulic systems and injure employees due to fire accidents.
Hydraulic systems rely on hydraulic oils for efficient and long-lasting performance. They are the power stations of various operations. However, the great power comes with great responsibilities. When we consider any lubricant, one of the most common yet important responsibilities is ensuring the safety of machines and engines. Imagine your machinery suddenly catching fire and reducing the entire system into ashes. A small mistake in selecting hydraulic oil can lead to fatal impacts.
The invention of fire-resistant hydraulic oils is a life changer in lubricant manufacturing. The worries of many end-users have been eased by the introduction of this hydraulic oil that can ensure the safe functioning of hydraulic systems despite the risk of ignition. Many hydraulic oil suppliers are recommending fire-resistant hydraulic oils over normal hydraulic oils. Various types of hydraulic oils ensure durability, reliability, efficiency, and proper operation of systems. In earlier times, water had been used as the hydraulic oil, but it is no longer in use. The lack of sufficient lubricant properties in the water leads to the formulation of different hydraulic oils. Some of the hydraulic oils available in the market include poly glycol-based synthetic oils, vegetable oils, refined mineral oils, and polyol esters-based oils. The flame-resistant hydraulic oils are mainly composed of glycols, additives, surfactants, and pigments. They can prevent the risk of ignition even if there are some accidental leaks.
Mostly, hydraulic systems operate under extreme temperature conditions, increasing the chances of fire accidents. The glycols in flame-resistant hydraulic oils have low temperature properties. Therefore, while working in high temperature situations, they can prevent the fluid from overheating and eventually catching fire. In this blog, we will explore the details of flame-resistant hydraulic fluids, their properties, considerations for selection, and their role in lubrication.
PROPERTIES OF FLAME-RESISTANT HYDRAULIC OILS
One of the most important properties of these types of hydraulic oils is their fire-resistant properties. These flame-resistant characteristics enhance the safety of the hydraulic system by withstanding high temperature conditions without igniting. The traditional conventional hydraulic oils are often flammable and pose hazardous fire threats. At times, the hydraulic oils in the systems are exposed to leaks. These accidental leaks can occur multiple times. However, the continuous oil leaks of the machinery can result in fire accidents causing serious injuries to the employees and deterioration of the machines. However, flame-resistant hydraulic fluids offer a safer alternative for industrial applications.
Other than the fire-resistant properties, these hydraulic oils have excellent lubricating characteristics. They protect the hydraulic system from premature wear and tear ensuring smooth operation for a longer time. Eventually, it will help the end user in reducing repair and maintenance costs. These properties of flame-resistant hydraulic fluids will make them an ideal choice for critical applications where safety and performance are important.
There are mainly two types of flame-resistant hydraulic oils:-
Oil-water emulsions – Considering oil-water emulsions hydraulic oils, we can further classify them into two groups:- oil-in-water emulsions and water-in-oil emulsions. In oil-in-water emulsions, the ratio of oil and water is 5:95 respectively. To put it simply, they are emulsions that are specifically formulated to sustain a small amount of oil spread in the water. They have great fire-resistant properties but less corrosion resistance and lubricity.
On the other hand, water-in-oil emulsions are designed to sustain a large amount of water dispersed in the water. The oil-to-water ratio of these emulsions is 60:40 and they exhibit excellent flame-resistant properties and anti-corrosion, and anti-wear properties along with better lubricity.
Water glycol solutions – These types of hydraulic oils are formulated with 60% glycol and 35% water. Compared to other flame-resistant hydraulic oils, the water glycol solutions have lower freezing points and fire-resistant properties. But, they are incompatible with other oils.
Among the flame-resistant lubricants commonly recommended by hydraulic oil suppliers are phosphate esters and polyol esters.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING A FIRE-RESISTANT HYDRAULIC OILS
When selecting a flame-resistant hydraulic fluid, it is essential to consider several factors to ensure the longevity and efficiency of your system. Consulting your hydraulic oil supplier will give you a thorough idea of the types of fire-resistant hydraulic oils suitable for your system.
The first and most important factor that you need to consider is the operating temperature of your hydraulic system. Many hydraulic system components operate under extreme temperature conditions. Therefore, to prevent fire accidents or system failures, it’s crucial to understand the operating conditions and temperature ranges of your system in order to select the appropriate fire-resistant hydraulic oils. The operating temperature will help you to select the degree of fire protection required for your system. Most of the lubricants produced by lubricants manufacturers can withstand elevated temperatures, yet using a fire-resistant hydraulic oil provides added peace of mind.
Having a clear understanding of your system’s working conditions will also help you select the suitable flame-resistant hydraulic oil. The flash point of the oil, the operating pressure of the system, occasional leaks, etc, clearly depend on the operating conditions and will significantly affect the system’s performance. Therefore, choosing a fire-resistant hydraulic fluid that aligns with these conditions will help the system in the long run.
If you’re selecting a flame-resistant hydraulic oil for a high temperature area, then consider choosing one with a high flashpoint and fire point. These properties will determine the fluid’s ability to withstand the elevated temperature conditions.
Lastly, you need to understand the fire-resistant oil standards before choosing the hydraulic oil. There are six types of categories in fire-resistant lubricants. This includes HFAE, HFAS, HFB, HFC, HFDR, and HDFU. To know more about these standards and their criteria, it is better to consult your hydraulic oil supplier or manufacturer.
In short, fire-resistant hydraulic oils play a crucial role in lubricating system components, reducing friction, minimizing wear and tear, and ensuring the safety of machinery and employees. They are effective heat transfer agents, dissipating the heat formed from the continuous operations in the hydraulic systems. Moreover, in the event of accidental leaks or system malfunctions, the fire-resistant hydraulic oils act as a shield against ignition ensuring the utmost safety of your employees and property. Therefore, if your system’s operating temperatures are comparatively high, it is better to choose a flame-resistant hydraulic oil to avoid unwanted hazardous situations. Choosing a high-quality fire-resistant oil from a reliable hydraulic oil supplier will help you create a safer and more assured working environment for your employees without compromising the lubricity.
