Hydraulic oil & lube oil? difference between hydraulic oil and lubrication oil

Lubricating oil: Lubrication oil is a type of lubricant which reduces the friction between two objects when they come in contact. It’s responsibilities include cleaning, sealing,rust prevention,cooling and buffering. Lubricating oil is two types

1. Gasoline engine oil 
2. Diesel engine oil. 

Hydraulic oil: Hydraulic oil is the type of liquid that creates liquid pressure energy.Main purpose of hydraulic oil is to transmit hydraulic energy. Hydraulic oil also provides lubrication between moving components.It also acts as heat transfer, sealing, lubrication and contamination removal.It contains chemical compounds like  anti-erosion additives,polyalkylene glycols,corrosion inhibitors,phthalates,adipates,oils and  butanol.

Some properties of hydraulic oil

• Viscosity index- Calibrate the viscosity range in various temperature
• Viscosity-Due to cavitation damage occurring and viscosity protects these damages. 
• Wire inhibitors- Reduce wear and helps  to extend the equipment life. 

The main difference between hydraulic oil and lubrication oil 

• Lubrication oil reduced the damaged creates from the friction 
• Hydraulic oil is used to transmit the power. 

Selecting hydraulic oil and lubricating oil

Lubrication oil selection: Lubrication oil should select based on the engine operating condition and should select the appropriate oil type. Lubrication oil select based on the seasonal temperature,viscosity grade and lubricant label. 

Hydraulic oil selection: Before selecting hydraulic oil should follow some principles. The principles influence the performance of hydraulic fluid. 

Thermal stability: If hydraulic fluid can resist decomposition because of temperature is the thermal stability: That’s why it should consider thermal stability before using hydraulic oil. 

Wear characteristics: Metal to metal contacts results comes from wear. Friction will reduce when fluids create film between the moving metal components. 

Rust and corrosion protection: Due to water available in the system it creates rusting to the hydraulic components. Hydraulic fluid should be formulated with rust and inhibitors which can prevent attracting metal surface and interaction of water.

Viscosity: Before using fluid it must maintain the viscosity. For higher operating temperature should use minimum viscosity. 


Filter-ability: Filter ability is the important factor of hydraulic oil. Hydraulic oil should be designed with a modern filtration system.Contamination can block filters and resist the flow of hydraulic fluid through the components.

Lower chemical corrosiveness: Two types of corrosion problem available one of them is acidic chemical corrosion and system rusting. When fluid contains water it creates system rusting.To protect this most of the fluids contains rust inhibitors.To prevent corrosion system metal properties should be considered.  

Heat capacity: Before selecting proper hydraulic oil for the system it should consider the heat capacity and low volume expansion coefficient. 

Foam testing: Hydraulic fluid common problem is foaming and it splash lubrication components or applications. Foam can leak out of the machine through dipsticks and breathers. Due to the foaming problems of hydraulic oil can reduce cooling capacity resulting in overheating to the system and increase oil degradation.  

Fire resistance: Fire resistance is another important characteristic of hydraulic fluid while hydraulic systems work at high temperature.So it should consider fire resistance hydraulic oil before purchasing.  

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