Lubricants For Plastics Manufacturing
Hydraulic fluid is the lifeblood of a plastic injection molding machine. Investing in a high-quality, high-performance hydraulic fluid can deliver significant long-term savings by helping support equipment health and helping deliver efficient production.
Plastics injection molding machines can be one of the most valuable assets to a manufacturing business. In an output-intensive industry, productivity is a priority and any unplanned downtime caused by equipment breakdown will impact the bottom line. Not only will customer delivery deadlines be at risk, but there is the added cost of machine repair.
At the heart of these machines lies the hydraulic system. Within these systems, hydraulic fluid plays a vital but often underestimated role. As multiple surveys reveal, 50% to 70% of mechanical failures are related to ‘improper hydraulic fluid condition’1. These failures can result from build-up of what are often called the ‘hidden killers’ of productivity - sludge and varnish.
Poor-quality hydraulic fluids are more susceptible to this problem as they readily oxidize in the presence of yellow metals, water and air contamination. In addition, they contain additives that are not thermally stable and decompose at elevated temperatures. The best way to avoid this is to use a high-quality hydraulic fluid which has high oxidation resistance and excellent thermal stability, helping to mitigate the risk of sludge and varnish build up and lowering the operator’s total cost of ownership2.
Shell Lubricants’ Tellus range of hydraulic fluids has been specifically formulated to meet the demands of hydraulic systems by resisting thermal and chemical breakdown. Shell Tellus can provide better reliability and system cleanliness compared to competitor products, having achieved excellent results in the industry standard thermal stability test of hydraulic oils - ASTM D20703, where the thermal stability of a hydraulic oil is evaluated in the presence of copper and steel at 135 °C.
Shell Tellus Hydraulic Fluids for Plastics Manufacturing
| Hydraulic fluids | ISO Viscosity Grade(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Shell Tellus S4 VE | 32, 46, 68 | Synthetic (GTL-based) hydraulic fluid with extra-long life, wide operating temperature window, impactful energy efficiency, and robust equipment protection |
| Shell Tellus S4 ME | 32, 46 | Zinc-free hydraulic fluid with outstanding wear protection; resists breakdown under heat and mechanical stress, delivering extra-long fluid life and improved energy efficiency |
| Shell Tellus S3 M | 32, 46, 68 | Zinc-free hydraulic fluid with outstanding protection and performance; resists breakdown under heat and mechanical stress, delivering long fluid life and improved efficiency |
| Shell Tellus S2 MX | 22, 32, 46, 68, 100 | High performance hydraulic fluid providing outstanding protection and performance; resists breakdown under heat and mechanical stress, delivering long fluid life and improved efficiency |
This is a selection of products available in the Shell portfolio. Lubricant recommendations are for reference only. Always verify OEM recommendations and operating conditions. For further information and to discuss solutions for your specific needs, please complete the form below or contact your local Shell Lubricant Solutions representative.
1 Source: multiple surveys by industry bodies including additive companies, filter manufactures, hydraulic equipment manufacturers. One source includes Parker Hannifin GmbH Bulletin: HY30-3248/ UK: Hydraulic Fluids for Parker Axial Piston Pumps Series PV
2 Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is defined by Shell Lubricants as the total amount spent on industrial equipment, including cost of acquisition and operation over its entire working life, including costs of lost production during equipment downtime
3 *Test method ASTM D2070 was carried out under third-party laboratory conditions. Shell Tellus S2 MX 46 was tested against 17 competitor oils. Each oil was heated to 135 degrees Celsius for a period of 168 hours together with catalyst rods of copper and steel. The precipitated deposits were weighed, with weight loss recorded, along with total sludge and acid number change. Shell Lubricants is able to provide a copy of the ASTM D 2070 report on request.
