Advantages of Zinc-free Hydraulic

Oils

Noria Corporation
Tags: hydraulics

"What are the advantages of using zinc-free

hydraulic oil? Some hydraulic oils don't contain zinc, so what would be the reason to
make them zinc-free?"

Zinc has been a key additive constituent in hydraulic oils, as well as the majority of oil
types, for decades. It primarily is used as an anti-wear agent or as an antioxidant.

These zinc-based additives are sacrificial, which means they are used up and depleted as
they do their job. However, it's not simply the metal zinc added to the oil that performs
this function. There is a chemical reaction between zinc oxides and an organic
thiophosphoric acid that produces an effective resultant known as zinc
dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP).

Zinc-based hydraulic oil is widely used for a number of reasons. Under boundary
conditions, a sacrificial layer of anti-wear additive (typically zinc-based) is established on
the load-bearing surface of machine components to help protect against the results of
friction. Anti-wear additives are most effective in moderate to severe load applications,
while oiliness agents are utilized in mild conditions. Extreme-pressure (EP) additives are
best in severe applications.

ZDDP (as well as other additive compounds) use phenolic and aminic compounds to
neutralize free radicals and disengage the oxidation reactions. This in turn will prevent
any harmful acidic byproducts from corroding equipment parts and changing the base
oil's lubricating capability.

Another hidden advantage of ZDDP is that it has the capacity to perform several key
functions at once. Without ZDDP, multiple additives must be employed and typically at
higher concentrations and cost.

The disadvantages of zinc-based additives include their corrosion of certain metals and
environmental impact. Oils with zinc levels that are too high have a history of leading to
the corrosion of some metals, such as yellow metals, as they chemically attack the metal
surfaces. A number of components even include instructions to avoid zinc-based
additized lubricants for this reason.

In addition, these additives not only are non-biodegradable, but research has indicated
that they are aquatically toxic.

The variety of ZDDP compounds also differ in their effects on hydrolysis and thermal
degradation. Achieving high-quality levels in both of these categories can be a challenge.
Additive alternatives to zinc have the potential of obtaining these benefits separately.

Keep in mind that zinc-based hydraulic oils have historically performed well and should
continue to do so. If no underlying reason exists for utilizing a zinc-free oil, such as the
metallurgy of a component or the environmental/operating factors, then there is a
strong case to use zinc-based additives like ZDDP. The benefits typically outweigh the
risks.