FLUID POWER SYSTEMS

MECE 3320U

Lecture #3:
Physical Properties of Hydraulic Fluid
Fereydoon Diba, Ph.D.

Hydraulic Fluid
Functions of Hydraulic Fluids:

Transmit Power

Lubricate Parts

Dissipate Heat

Seal Clearances

Sealing Clearances

Hydraulic Fluid
Properties of Hydraulic Fluids:
Good lubricity,
Ideal Viscosity,
Chemical Stability,
Compatibility,
High Degree of incompressibility,
Fire Resistance,
Good Heat Transfer Capability,
Low Density,
Nontoxicity,
Low Volatility
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Comparison of Hydraulic Fluid

Parameter

Liquid

Gas

Volume

Has its own volume

Volume is determined by
container

Shape

Takes shape of container

but only to its volume

Expands to completely fill and

take the shape of container

Compressibility

Incompressible for most

engineering applications

Readily compressible

Physical Properties
Specific Weight

Specific Gravity
Density
Force
Pressure
Head

Specific Weight
Weight Versus Mass :
W=m.g
Specific Weight:
Specific Weight = weight / volume

&

Specific Gravity
Specific weight of fluid
Specific Gravity (SG) =
Specific weight of water

Density I
Density:
Density = mass / volume

=
=

&

Density II

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Pressure
Pressure is force per unit of area:

Units:

GB:
SI:

or
2

or
2

or
2

= 105
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Head
The 1-ft height of water is commonly called
a PRESSURE HEAD = 0.433 psi

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Head
=
P: pressure at the bottom of the liquid column
: Specific weight of liquid
H: Liquid column height or head

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Atmospheric Pressure
Standard Atmospheric
Pressure: 14.7 lb/in2
Atmospheric pressure
can slightly vary
If not specific, actual
atmospheric pressure
assumed to equal std
atmospheric pressure

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Mercury Barometer

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Gage and Absolute Pressure

Gage Pressure:

relative to Atmospheric Pressure

or

Absolute Pressure:
relative to vacuum
or ()
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Gage and Absolute Pressure

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British Gravitational System (BG)

Length: foot (ft)
Time: second (s)
Force: pound (Ib)
Mass: slug
Temperature: Fahrenheit (F) or Rankine (R)

R = F + 459.67

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SI System
Length: meter (m)

Time: second (s)

Mass: kilogram (kg)

Force = Newton (N) or kg.m/s2

1 bar = 100,000 Pa = 14.5 psi
Temperature = Kelvin (K)
K = C + 273.15
T (F) = 1.8 T (C)+ 32
Celsius scale is not part of SI units. However, it is commonly
used to specify the temperature.
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Bulk Modulus
Stiffness of hydraulic system is directly
related to incompressibility of the oil.

Bulk Modulus measures incompressibility:

&

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Viscosity
A measure of fluids
resistance to flow.
The most important
property of a
hydraulic fluid.

The ideal viscosity for

a hydraulic system is
a compromise.

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Viscosity
Easily flow & thin appearance:

Difficulty flow & thick appearance:

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Absolute Viscosity

/

=
=
=
/
/
GB: . / 2
SI: . /2
CGS: . /2 or poise

Centipoise
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Kinematic Viscosity
=

GB: 2 /

SI: 2 /
CGS: 2 / or stoke or

Centistoke
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Saybolt Viscometer
Saybolt Universal
Second
SUS to cS:

where t is time in SUS

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Pour Point
The lowest temperature at which a fluid
will flow.

Related to viscosity

It is a very important parameter for

hydraulic systems that working in
extreme cold conditions
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Design Note
Viscosity for the hydraulic Applications:
Usually about 150 SUS @ 100F

Not lower than 45 SUS regardless of

temperature
Not above 4000 SUS regardless of
temperature
Pour point should be at least 20F below
the lowest temperature to be experienced
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Design Note

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Viscosity Index (VI)

A relative measurement of an oil viscosity
change respect to the temperature (0-100).
Low VI:

Large change of viscosity with temperature

High VI:

Small change of viscosity with temperature

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Viscosity Index (VI)

=
100

L : viscosity in SUS of 0-VI oil at 100F

U: viscosity in SUS of unknown-VI oil at 100F
H: viscosity in SUS of 100-VI oil at 100F

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Viscosity Index (VI)

Example: A sample of oil with viscosity index of 70 is
tested with a 0 VI oil and a 100 VI oil whose viscosity
values at 100F are 375 and 125 SUS, respectively.
What is the viscosity of the sample oil at 100F in units
of SUS?

Solution:

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Quiz: True or False:

1. Gauge pressures are measured relative to
atmosphere.
2. The bulk modulus is analogous to the
modulus of elasticity for solids.
3. The viscosity of hydraulic oils increases
with increase in temperature.

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