is hydraulic fluid flammable or not?

is hydraulic fluid flammable or not?

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In a hydraulic system, fluids play an important role. The truth is no operation is possible for a hydraulic system without the presence of hydraulic fluid. The environmental changes such as temperature variations will affect the hydraulic fluids and working of the system. When the temperature increases, the fluid will evaporate and when the temperature decrease, the fluid will freeze. This is one of the major issues regarding hydraulic fluid.

Hydraulic system applications range from small toys to larger applications like aircraft and robotics. In such cases, there will be applications that involve contact with ignition sources and hot surfaces. Furnace chargers and dischargers, hot metal shears, coke furnace door openers, diecasting machines, etc.. are some applications that involve higher temperatures and contact with an ignition source. What will happen when the hydraulic fluid is exposed to these situations? The effects will depend on the type of hydraulic fluid used.

Mineral oils, fire-resistant fluids, water/oil emulsions, water glycol, and phosphate esters are the different categories of hydraulic fluids. Petroleum-based hydraulic fluids like mineral oils have flash point(the lowest temperature at which the vapors will ignite) that ranges from 300 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. The water-based hydraulic fluids are inflammable. But, there is an issue of corrosion while using water-based hydraulic fluids. The flammability test on hydraulic fluids is carried out depending on the ISO 12922 specification.