Operating temperature
Temperature range
For standard hydraulic cylinders, the upper limit for the operating temperature is 80 °C (176 °F). This is based on the selection of seals, which are composed of the elastomers polyurethane (PU), polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) or nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR).
With temperature-resistant seals such as fluororubber (FKM) it is possible to achieve as a maximum operating temperature of up to 180 °C (392 °F) in special cases.
Short strokes lead to a very small oil exchange in the cylinder chambers and thus to heating of the pressure fluid, which also has a negative effect on the seals. The resulting lack of oil circulation results in increased oil contamination (e.g. due to wear) and reduction of the oil additivization.
With regard to the temperatures arising during operation of hydraulic cylinders it must be noted that all of the design elements have been dimensioned for this temperature. These include not just seals, guides, switches, etc., but also the hydraulic fluid itself. Furthermore, the compatibility of the hydraulic fluid with the seal materials has to be tested.
For certain applications, it may be helpful to use a hydraulic cylinder with integrated water cooling. In this way, the temperature of the cylinder can be reduced.