When it comes to working with hydraulic equipment, there's one part that's crucial to proper operation. That's the hydraulic seal. It's a small part, but it plays a big role in the performance of your hydraulic equipment. To make sure that your equipment doesn't malfunction during normal operation, it's important that you provide proper care for your hydraulic seals. In order to do that, you need to know under what conditions your hydraulic seals might fail. Understanding the potential for failure will help you avoid those situations. Here are four reasons your hydraulic seals may fail you:
Temperature-Related Hardening
When hydraulic seals are exposed to extreme temperatures, they can be hardened quickly. Unfortunately, once they begin to harden, they lose the flexibility they need for proper operation. They also become susceptible to cracks and splits, which can cause them to break during normal operation. Extreme temperatures occur due to improper lubrication, or heat generated from high-speed operations. To protect your hydraulic seals from temperature-related hardening, be sure your equipment has sufficient lubrication prior to beginning high-temperature, or high-speed operations.
Erosion Caused by Caustic Chemicals
When hydraulic seals are exposed to corrosive fluids, they'll begin to deteriorate rapidly. The deterioration will be even more significant and occur at a faster rate when the wrong seals are used for applications requiring corrosive fluids. To prevent chemical erosion, and deterioration, of your hydraulic seals, it's important that you use the correct seals for each job. In most cases, you'll be able to tell that you're using the wrong seals when they begin to slip, shrink, or become discolored during use.
Installation-Related Problems
For hydraulic seals to work properly, they need to be installed correctly. When they aren't, you can find yourself facing a multitude of problems, including leaks, slips, and contamination of the work site. Not only that, but it can also cause an incomplete seal to occur, which can lead to hazardous working conditions. To avoid installation-related problems, always double-check your seals to make sure they're installed properly, and that you're using the properly sized seal for your equipment.
Seal Contamination
If you're operating your equipment in a dusty, or dirty, environment, the seals can become contaminated. If things like dirt, mud, or other particulate matter get on the seals, they can transfer to the pistons. Once the piston is contaminated, your equipment will no longer work properly. If your equipment becomes contaminated, you'll need to ensure a thorough cleaning before resuming operations.
