Lubricants, industrial oils and related products (class L) — Family H (Hydraulic systems) — Specifications for hydraulic fluids in categories HETG, HEPG, HEES and HEPR
1Key Takeaways
This document specifies the requirements for environmentally acceptable hydraulic fluids and is intended for hydraulic systems, particularly hydraulic fluid power systems. The purpose of this document is to provide guidance and requirements for suppliers and users of environmentally acceptable hydraulic fluids, and for…
2Expert Interpretation
In-depth interpretation of ISO 15380:2023, the fourth edition of the international standard for environmentally friendly hydraulic oils, covering the technical specifications, environmental requirements and conversion guidelines for four major types of hydraulic oils: HETG (triglycerides), HEPG (polyethylene glycol), HEES (synthetic esters) and HEPR (polyalphaolefins). Analyze core indicators such as 60% biodegradation rate and 100mg/L ecotoxicity threshold, and provide comparison tables of key parameters such as viscosity grade, flash point, and filterability.
Analysis of the core content of the standard
As the international standard for environmentally friendly lubricants for hydraulic systems, ISO 15380:2023 puts forward clear technical requirements for four types of biodegradable hydraulic oils (HETG/HEPG/HEES/HEPR):
| Category | Base oil type | Biological-based carbon requirement | Typical viscosity grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| HETG | Triglycerides | ≥25% | 22/32/46/68 |
| HEPG | Polyethylene glycol | ||
| HEES | Synthetic Ester | ≥25% | 22/32/46/68/100 |
| HEPR | Polyalphaolefin | - | 22/32/46/68 |
Key Indicators of Environmental Performance
The standard requires that all categories of hydraulic oil must meet the following requirements:
- Biodegradability: 28-day mineralization rate ≥60% (ISO 14593/9439）
- Ecotoxicity:
- Fish 96h LC50＞100mg/L（ISO 7346-2）
- Daphnia 48h EC50＞100mg/L（ISO 6341）
- Bacterial inhibition 3h EC50＞100mg/L（ISO 8192）
HETG and HEES must also pass ASTM D6866 to verify that the biobased carbon content is ≥25%
Technical Parameters Comparison
| Test Items | HETG | HEPG | HEES | HEPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point (℃) | 165-195 | 165-195 | 165-205 | 165-195 |
| 40℃ viscosity (mm²/s) | 19.8-74.8 | 19.8-74.8 | 19.8-110 | 19.8-74.8 |
| Dry filterability (%) | 80/60 | 80/60 | 80/60 | 80/60 |
| Copper corrosion (level) | ≤2 | ≤2 | ≤2 | ≤2 |
Standard Evolution and Major Updates
Main changes of the 2023 version compared with the 2016 version:
- New Chapter 3 (Definition of Terms) and Chapter 6 (Precision)
- Deleted original Appendix B/C
- Updated environmental requirements for environmentally friendly products
- Clarified the dry/wet stage requirements for filterability test
Implementation Recommendations
Precautions for Mineral Oil Conversion
According to Appendix A of the standard, special attention should be paid when converting:
- Residue control: HETG/HEES/HEPR＜2%, HEPG＜1%
- Seal compatibility: HEPG requires special inspection of polycarbonate and other plastic parts
- Filter system: The filter needs to be replaced 50 hours after conversion
- Metal compatibility: Avoid pure lead/tin/zinc materials
It is recommended to regularly monitor the oil status through viscosity, acid value, infrared spectrum, etc.