The Advantages of the Flat Face Hydraulic Couplings

The development of hydraulic couplings

There has been an increase in 400 bar operating pressure over the past few years, largely in line with the OEM trend to offer compact machines but with the same power and operating capabilities as their larger counterparts. Essentially, higher pressure means more force and torque can be obtained from smaller components. It is no longer feasible for hydraulic coupling manufacturers to offer only the ISO 16028 standard working pressure of 250 bar. This is where the flat face hydraulic coupling is advantageous as it is designed for applications requiring 400 bar pressure.

Efficient and safe operation of hydraulic systems is critical. Hydraulic oil is an essential component of many machines around the world. It provides the life blood of the machine and the power to get the job done. Traditional hydraulic couplings have been in use for many years and have drawbacks such as limited flow, leakage, etc, while OEMs are still looking for alternatives to improve various factors such as operating costs and machine uptime. However, there is a viable alternative, which can offer significant advantages, that is the flat face hydraulic couplings, which connect hydraulic hoses in high-pressure hydraulic systems and provide a fluid seal to maximize hydraulic system performance.

The advantages of the flat face hydraulic couplings

One of the advantages of the flat face hydraulic couplings is to protect the environment and to safeguard people’s health and safety. In a wide range of applications where potential fluid leakage is an issue, the flat face hydraulic coupling provides dry break or minimal spillage performance. In fact, features such as the sleeve lock also can reduce the risk of accidental disconnection.

If the coupling leaks, people may be exposed to chemicals in the hydraulic fluid. Exposure to chemicals may be due to inhalation, ingestion or contact. Some people experience skin irritation or hand weakness when handling hydraulic fluid. While no serious harm has been reported from inhaling hydraulic fluid, there have been cases of intestinal bleeding, pneumonia, or death.

Similar to ingestion, fluids can also be accidentally injected into the skin. This happens when high-pressure hydraulic hoses disconnect, allowing toxic fluid to leak and inject into the skin. Another danger with hydraulic fluid is that when a fluid coupling leaks, the chemicals in the fluid either stay on the soil or sink into the ground. If these chemicals mix in a body of water, they sink to the bottom. In fact, in this case, the chemicals can stay there for over a year. Aquatic organisms can absorb toxic hydraulic fluid, causing illness or death to animals or animals higher up the food chain.