If liquid is not compressible, why do we need special hydraulic fluid? Why not just use water?
In: Engineering
Adding to the other answers, commonly used hydraulic fluids are actually more compressible than water. The bulk modulus, a measure or resistance to compression, is typically 1.8 GPa for common mineral oils and 2.2 GPa for water. Water’s tendency to freeze, boil, corrode and provide poor lubrication rule it out for modern applications though, as the name gives away, it was the original hydraulic fluid.
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