Absolute Filtration – Systems Design – Systems Plumbing

Six Wear Modes

of
Hydraulic Components

Larger Hydraulic Services

(614) 407-3864 ph
www.LargerHydraulics.com
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Abrasive Wear:
Abrasive wear is the scuffing and scoring of a lubricated surface. It can be further
divided into two-body abrasion and three-body abrasion. Two-body abrasion occurs
when two lubricated surfaces come into direct contact with each other-usually as a
result of loss of the lubricating oil film. Three-body abrasion occurs when the clearance
between two lubricated surfaces is bridged by one or more hard particles. In this case
it's the clearance-sized hard particles that are responsible for scoring the lubricated
surface(s).

Adhesive Wear:

Adhesive wear is usually a progression of two-body abrasion. If the oil film between
two lubricated surfaces moving relative to each other is lost, the two surfaces begin to
scuff (two-body abrasion). This scuffing results in friction which creates heat. If the friction
and heat is sufficient, the two surfaces can begin to adhere (friction weld) to each other.
Although complete seizure is possible, adhesive wear typically results in the transfer of
metal from one surface to the other, as the asperites (microscopic high points) adhere
and are then torn from their parent-metal surface.

Fatigue Wear:

Fatigue wear can occur in heavily loaded lubricated contacts-especially bearings

and gears. Point loading can cause elastic deformation of the component's surface. And
the resulting stress concentration causes surface cracking and eventually, spalling
(break away) of the surface material.

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Erosive Wear:

Erosive wear occurs when the hydraulic fluid is contaminated with large amounts
of silt-sized (< 2-micron) hard particles. As the contaminated hydraulic fluid moves past
lubricated surfaces at relatively high velocities, it works like an abrasive slurry, polishing
(eroding) away these surfaces and eventually, increasing the clearances between them.

Cavitation Wear:

Cavitation wear occurs when air or oil-vapor bubbles form in the oil-at the pump
inlet for example, and then collapse under pressure at the pump outlet. The micro-jet
formed during bubble collapse is powerful enough to erode case-hardened steel. So if
vapor or air bubbles collapse under pressure in proximity to any metal surface, erosion
and metal loss result.

Corrosive Wear:

Corrosive wear occurs when chemical reaction results in loss of surface

material. Rusting of ferrous metals is an obvious example. But if the hydraulic
oil has been degraded by water or heat, chemical by-products such as acids
can chemically attack some metals. In addition, yellow metals (bronzes) can
be susceptible to chemical attack by some oil additives - especially if water is
present.

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