Testing Hydraulic Fluids Available to Purchase

TESTS applied to hydraulic fluids may be conveniently considered in two groups—tests on fresh, unused fluids, and tests on samples taken from a hydraulic system after a period of service. New fluid is examined to ensure that its properties meet the requirements—whether these be laid down in a manufacturing specification, contract specification, or merely evolved as the result of service experience— and also to provide reference data for comparison with subsequent results on used fluid. Samples taken from service may be tested to assess the suitability of the fluid for further use, or to try to establish the cause of failure or unsatisfactory operation of the equipment.