Every hydraulic system is comprised of many different parts and if your system is going to function properly, they all need to be able to work together. If one component is not quite right it can affect the entire system’s performance and can cause all sorts of issues.
Hydraulic valves are a crucial part of any hydraulic system so you need to be sure that you choose the right valve to suit your requirements. There are a huge number of different valves out there and it’s easy to become overwhelmed at the selection. If you aren’t sure what type of hydraulic valve will work best for you, it’s always a good idea to seek professional advice.
In a hydraulic system, valves are used for oil control – managing the flow of hydraulic fluid throughout your system. There are a number of different types of hydraulic valves available including:
When trying to determine the right hydraulic valve type for your system there are a few things you should consider:
Selection of the right hydraulic valve type requires an in-depth knowledge of your application and the function the valve will be expected to perform. You will also need to be aware of certain factors including the valve’s pressure drop, frequency, adjustment range, leakage rate and required fluid cleanliness among others.
The wrong valve choice will affect the functionality of your system and often leads to problems in other areas of your system which can be costly to resolve. Issues that can be caused by poor valve choice include over pressurisation leading to component damage, poor performance and efficiency, cavitation, malfunction and machine damage.
As hydraulic distributors, Berendsen offers a wide selection of valves from a number of different manufacturers including Danfoss Power Solutions and Hydraforce.
To ensure you choose the right type of hydraulic valves for your system, speak to one of our trusted professionals today.
In order to select the most suitable hydraulic valve for your application, you must have a good understanding of your system requirements and the options available to you.
Below, we will highlight some of the key factors that should be taken into account.
The characteristics of the hydraulic fluid to be used in the system plays a vital role in determining which components are best suited – and this is no different when it comes to hydraulic valves.
Hydraulic fluids vary in viscosity and corrosiveness. With that in mind, the valve material must be compatible with the liquid to avoid any performance issues. Materials such as cast iron, brass and aluminium may potentially be affected by certain fluids.
As a brief guide, steel or metal valves should be used for pressurised fluids, and PTFE or PFA should be implemented where highly corrosive or harsh fluids are used.
Whilst hydraulic valves are typically robust and designed to withstand harsh operating conditions, some materials naturally perform better than others in specific applications.
The pressure, flow rate and temperature of the system should be kept in mind when selecting a valve. For high temperature and pressure applications, steel or metal valves are the most suitable in comparison to plastic or lower grade materials.
Pressure – The working pressure of the valve should be equal to or greater than the maximum system pressure.
Temperature – The fluid temperature should be maintained at a level that is specified to be compatible with the valve.