What is oil contamination and what causes it?
Contaminated oil causes 90% 0f all machine faults and downtime. Hydraulic fluids lie at the heart of any type of manufacturing equipment. This oil must be filtered, analysed and replaced. And despite all this, companies still suffer downtime during which pumps, valves, cylinders and seals need to be replaced. Pollution in the oil cannot be avoided and is an integral part of every hydraulic system. Even new hydraulic fluid is dirty, and typically contains more than 75,000 solid particles > 5 per 100ml. Pumps, valves, pipes, hoses, heat exchangers and oil tanks all bring dirt from the manufacturer. Abrasive wear, fatigue and erosion all cause additional contamination whenever dirt particles circulate through the system at high speed and at high pressure. Dirt particles from the surrounding air, entering through reservoir breathers and cylinders rod seals, add to the system’s contamination load. Condensation caused by changes in temperature and leaking oil cooling systems contaminate the
