Hydraulic Filtration

Managing fluid contamination levels is a key factor in hydraulic system reliability. Particle contamination in the oil is responsible for the majority of pump wear and along with varnish, accounts for the majority of hydraulic valve failures. Water, often considered the second most harmful contaminant, causes corrosion, cavitation erosion, lubricant degradation and significantly degrades the lubricant’s film strength leading to more mechanical wear. Those who are successful at controlling contamination follow a simple 3 step strategy. Step 1 involves establishing optimum cleanliness and dryness targets for the fluid (see Table below). Step 2 is to identify the necessary modifications to bring the fluid condition within targets and step 3 is to effectively measure contaminants to ensure compliance with the targets.