Do you have a quality hydraulic cylinder pumping harder and nurturing the extensive power? Now, imagine for a moment. Hydraulic oil viscosity changes for various reasons and breaks out of the cylinder.
Don’t you think it is a problematic case? Guess what? Such cases are familiar with the many hydraulic cylinder leakages. Choosing the proper fluid pressure and correct sealing can optimize and prevent leakage.
Do you want to know the possible reasons and solutions to prevent hydraulic fluid leakage? Let’s discuss them in detail.
What is a hydraulic cylinder leak?
A hydraulic cylinder is a heavy-duty tool that relies on hydraulic fluid power to generate high power and perform robust activities.
The hydraulic cylinder leakage can escape the fluid from its parts and compromise the safety of the users. Plus, it comes with added problems of decreased performance and quick deterioration. All leakages are possible due to high-pressure usage of the hydraulic cylinders.
Inefficient energy generation is another significant problem that interacts with hydraulic cylinder leakage.
What are the different types of hydraulic cylinder leaks?
Hydraulic Cylinder leakage is the fluid escape. But now the question is, which place does fluid travel to? Based on the location, it can be either internal or external.
Let’s categorize the types of Hydraulic Cylinder leaks.
Internal Leaks
What do you understand about the internal leakage? The title indicates the whole story. This means the hydraulic fluid has escaped the piston leak and is still in the hydraulic cylinder, not the external environment.
How do you detect it?
In internal leakage, the most significant problem is detection, which is impossible in the early stages. However, you can consider the reduced performance, slower operations, and overheating as crucial red flags. If there has been a history of leak damage or cylinder accidents, it also prompts the diagnosis of possible internal leaks.
Common causes are:
- Worn-out seals
- Scoring
- Damage to cylinder barrels
External Leaks
External leakages are also dangerous but more accessible to detect. Unlike the internal leakage, the fluid flows out of the hydraulic cylinder and is often visible on the damaged points.
You can assess the internal components and validate the tearing or seals to confirm the external leaks. Moreover, the hydraulic cylinders have reduced performance as well.
Causes include:
- Damaged seals
- Cracked cylinder rods
- Improperly secured fittings
Five common reasons behind hydraulic cylinder leakage
Hydraulic Cylinder leakage isn’t an automatic activity. It comes with various reasons, such as:
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Worn out seals
The Hydraulic Cylinder comes with variations. Low-pressure cylinders to high pressure deliver the required performance. The extended use can pressure the pistons and seals and cause seal damage. Moreover, high friction can also break the seals.
This results in the fluid escaping from the leaks and causes severe performance issues.
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Contaminated fluid
Hydraulic fluid when exposed to an external environment gets contaminated. Over the years, the dust and debris can collect inside the cylinder. This leads to the contamination of hydraulic fluid. Plus, contaminants kill the seals and rip them off.
What is the result, then? It is nothing but the escape of the fluid through the piston seals due to viscosity changes.
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Cylinder rod damage
Mechanical impact. Pressure. Overloading. Improper alignment. All such cases are the most prominent killers of cylinder rod damage.
They can directly hit the seals and cause leakages. The fluid comes out of the rod and causes some serious issues regarding the hydraulic power.
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High pressure or overloading
First of all, every hydraulic cylinder has limited power. Exceeding the required range of power results only in the damage. It not only damages the seals but also damages the overall performance.
Seal damages can cause fluid leakage that further adds insult to injury.
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Poor maintenance practices
Regular inspection of the hydraulic cylinders is necessary. Over time, hydraulic cylinders started losing their performance.
Inspection and maintenance are the best possible solutions in all such cases. Poor maintenance can lead to slow and progressive damage until the stage of hydraulic fluid leakage comes.
Possible solutions to avoid hydraulic cylinder leakage
Have you detected the leakage? Do you want to prevent it? Choosing the right solutions can shun away from all the hurdles. We have discussed various solutions to correct the hydraulic cylinder leakage.
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Selection of Quality Hydraulic Cylinders
One of the primary solutions is to eliminate the problem. You can look for reputed suppliers and brands to unlock the durable collection. Check their quality solutions.
For instance, you can explore the high standards of hydraulic cylinders at Quanli Hydraulic Machinery Manufacturing.
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Regular Inspection
Suppose you have grabbed the quality hydraulic cylinders. They will surely break down without maintenance. Take time to inspect the hydraulic cylinder.
It is better to set 5-10 days for the inspection. However, you can go for the monthly inspection. It will ensure the quality checks and maintain the seals.
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Using High-Quality Fluids
Using compatible fluids is necessary. The highly viscous or low viscous fluid can be problematic. Know the standardized fluids for your hydraulic cylinders. Opt for them for the longevity of your hydraulic seals.
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Avoid overloading
90% of the leaks occur due to high-pressure damage. Already the seals are handling tons of pressure from the fluids. To elevate the power, exceeding the limit can be a deadly idea.
Check the maximum rated power of the hydraulic cylinders. Keep the pressure within limits. Set up regular pressure inspections and revive the damaged seals.
Conclusion
The possible way to block the leaks is to get the quality seals of your hydraulic cylinders. What if you bring the top-notch hydraulic cylinders in the picture?
To be honest, This idea is wild and can prevent leaks. However, the problem is to find quality suppliers.
QuanYe Hydraulic Machinery Manufacturing comes with quality hydraulic cylinders. The high standards of products with quality designs can make unbeatable hydraulic cylinders. Explore a wide range of cylinders now!