6 Ways on How to Keep Oil and Hydraulic Fluids at their Best
Understanding the ISO cleanliness standards is crucial for optimizing equipment performance and ensuring cost-effective and efficient production results. Unfortunately, many companies are not familiar with the current standards or lack knowledge on how to initiate a cleanliness program for their facilities and machinery. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) plays a vital role in studying cleanliness levels in OEM equipment and providing expert guidelines to establish the best fluid cleanliness based on four international contamination control standards: ISO 11171, ISO 11943, ISO 16889, and ISO 4406. These standards serve as trusted and up-to-date guidance for manufacturers, operators, and service technicians to achieve the best contamination control for various types of machinery.
The ISO Solid Contamination Code (ISO 4406:2021), in particular, stands as the gold standard for specifying optimal contamination control in equipment. It precisely quantifies the number of particulates in a fluid sample, categorizing contaminants based on three size ranges: > 4, > 6, and > 14 microns. Adhering to clean fluid standards offers several benefits, including minimized downtime, prolonged fluid life, reduced waste and supplies, lower labor costs, and decreased energy expenses. By following a step-by-step approach and partnering with world-class filtration suppliers, companies can implement an ISO-approved cleanliness program. Key steps include assessing and creating cleanliness levels using global ISO codes, selecting the appropriate filter media, organizing an oil analysis program, filtering all new fluids, and sealing reservoirs and bulk tanks.
Working closely with filtration suppliers allows maintenance leaders to execute cleanliness initiatives efficiently. A team approach, involving facility managers, maintenance professionals, oil reclamation companies, and filtration firms, ensures a regulated approach to oil purification and maintenance standards. Embracing a proactive approach to achieve a total level of cleanliness yields significant cost savings and enhances overall facility performance. By investing in more rigorous maintenance practices, companies can reap substantial benefits and boost profitability in the long run.
