Hydraulic filters are the first line of defense against hydraulic system contamination. They must capture a specific size and efficiency of contaminants to keep the fluid clean and operational.
A hydraulic system typically consists of a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid, a pump to move the fluid, lines, and tubes to transport the fluid to and from the hydraulic cylinder, and a filter to remove contaminants.
Test Results
The filtering process forces hydraulic fluid through a porous element that captures contaminants, preventing them from re-entering the fluid flow and damaging other equipment downstream. These contaminants range in size from fine particles to water and reactive chemicals. They can clog the small orifices in control and pressure valves, leading to excessive maintenance costs and downtime. They can also build up in close-tolerance areas, causing the equipment to stick or seize.
The best filters will be able to retain most of the debris that passes through them, as shown by their dirt-holding capacity. They should have a high differential pressure stability, meaning they can resist repeated cold starts.
They should also have drain plugs enabling easy servicing by releasing system pressure. However, they should be tight enough as this will lead to leaking. Lastly, they should be rated to meet stringent ISO standards. This includes tests for leakage resistance, differential pressure stability, and flow fatigue strength.
Finding hydraulic filter suppliers VA can be essential for those needing hydraulic filtration products.
Efficiency Ratings
Hydraulic systems are used in a wide range of industrial applications. They provide power for equipment such as automobiles, airplanes, and tractors. They are also responsible for lubricating internal system components. However, if these systems are exposed to contamination, it will cause the parts to wear down. Filters help to prevent these problems by limiting the intake of particles and swiftly removing any that have entered the system.
A standard multi-pass test method measures the number of particles allowed to pass through a filter. Manufacturers then report a beta rating that can be used to compare the efficiency of different filters under normal operating conditions.
The higher the beta ratio, the more efficient the filter is. A low beta ratio indicates the filter is ineffective and will allow more contaminants to pass through. This can lead to contaminating critical components such as pumps and valves.
Beta Ratio
The filter must be correctly sized and have an appropriate micron rating for maximum system efficiency. It also needs to have a low-pressure drop to maintain fluid flow. These factors are critical in hydraulic systems.
Today’s hydraulic filters are designed to trap more contamination particles for long life and lower pressure drop. This is especially important because newer equipment demands high-performance filters with a higher dirt retention capacity. This capability is measured by a filter’s beta ratio, which is starting to replace absolute and nominal ratings for the industry. Multipass test results are used to calculate the beta ratio, which compares the number of particles upstream versus downstream in a stated size range.
Warranty
The fluid that allows your hydraulic system to function needs to be clean. Otherwise, the system is susceptible to contamination that can impair its physical and chemical properties, resulting in equipment malfunctions, costly downtime, and repairs to damaged components.
Using a high-quality filter helps to avoid these problems by removing damaging particles from the hydraulic system’s oil. However, not all filters are created equal. The best choice for a specific application requires considering several factors, such as the filter’s efficiency rating, beta ratio, and dirt-holding capacity.
To help buyers independently evaluate these factors, many experienced manufacturers include curves and tables showing the pressure drop of their filter products in their catalogs. This makes it easier for system designers to select the most appropriate filters for a particular hydraulic circuit.
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