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Why are filters Important?

• The main reason for the failure of fluid  power systems is because there is too much contamination.

• These fluid systems are contaminated due to enumerable reasons and hence it is necessary to use a filter.

• The hydraulic filters are quite successful in keeping the hydraulic fluid contaminant free.

• In order to appreciate the true potential of the filters it is important to understand the fundamentals of contamination.

Sources of Contamination:

•  main source of the contaminants is from the very components of the system. For example the cylinders, fluids, hoses, hydraulic motors, lines & pipes, fabrication, pumps, reservoirs, valves, etc. are some of the components that create contamination.

• In addition to that there are several other factors that also contribute to the contamination like the assembly of a system, operation of a system and fluid breakdown.

• There are also a few external factors that add to the contamination like reservoir breathing, cylinder rod seals, bearing seals.

• And that is not all! The very maintenance of the systems creates a more contaminated fluid mainly while assembly – disassembly and oil makeup.

The contaminants in action:

• The size of the contaminants is about 5 micrometer. To get a better understanding of how small is 5 micro meter; 1 micro meter is about 40 millionth of one inch.

• 2.5 micro meter = 0.0001 inch.

• Thickness of a sheet of paper is 75 micro meter.

• The smallest dot visible to the human eye is about 40 micro meters. It is the thickness of human hair approx.