What is the Difference Between Hydraulic Oil and Engine Oil?

hydraulic oil or engine oil

What is the Difference Between Hydraulic Oil and Engine Oil?

There are different types of oil for various equipment that is available in the market. This article is for you if you are new and learning about hydraulic oil, and motor oil and you find it confusing by the difference and use of each. We’ll be giving you a simple breakdown of the differences of each and if one could be the substitute for another.

If you are new to knowing the difference between the three or you’re refreshing the memory that you have before you start working on your equipment’s oil, you came to read the right article.

Hydraulic Oil

Hydraulic oil is the energy transfer medium in all hydraulic systems. They contain a wide range of chemical compounds. This includes oils, butanol, phthalates, adipates, polyalkylene glycols, corrosion inhibitors, anti-erosion additives, etc. The jobs of hydraulic fluid goes beyond simple transmission of power. Hydraulic oil’s main purpose is transmitting hydraulic energy, but it is also useful in secondary functions. These secondary functions can be heat transfer, contamination removal, sealing and lubrication.

Hydraulic Equipment requires lubrication to protect internal parts for wearing and melting. Hydraulic oil provides full lubrication between the moving parts. These systems would be terrible inefficient and unreliable without the lubricating properties of hydraulic oil.

In order for hydraulic oil to work, there are specific properties that they should meet, such as the following:

  • Viscosity – protects the oil from damage that could cause cavitation
  • Viscosity Index – measure the viscosity from one temperature to another
  • Wear Inhibitors – helps extend the equipment’s life by reducing wear

RELATED: Properties that Make Hydraulic Oil Work

Excavators, backhoes, hydraulic brakes, power steering systems, transmissions are some of the examples of equipment that uses hydraulic oil.

Motor Oil

Motor oil is a mixture of base oil and additives that is used to lubricate engine parts, reduce friction and protect the engine. Engine oil is comprised of base oil and additives. Base oils constitute 70-90% of the total and are created from natural gas or crude oil. Meanwhile, the additives round out the remaining 10-30 percent can be a variety of the following things:

  • Dispersants – helps protect your engine’s performance
  • Detergents – prevents deposits
  • Anti-foam additives – prevent problems at high temperature
  • Corrosion Inhibitors – protect against the reaction of acids on metal

and more…

What’s the Difference Between the Hydraulic Oil and Motor Oil?

Hydraulic oil and motor oil are made from base oils with additives mixed in. Hydraulic oils are expected to have low compressibility, predictable friction and viscosity stability. Engine oils are intended to have high resistance to heat, resistance to absorption of fuels and chemical compounds produced during combustion.

Hydraulic oil and motor oil are more likely to have additives that are intended to provide detergency to reduce foaming. By finding what’s best for you equipment or engine could assure you the best oil for your equipment.

Are you in need for hydraulic oil in the Philippines? Contact our specialists today to know the best hydraulic oil for your equipment!