May 30 2008
The Dow Performance Fluids Business anticipates increased demand for UCON™ TRIDENT AW Hydraulic Fluids because of its environmentally friendly performance profile and increasingly strict environmental regulations. Ship and dock operators, tunnel boring companies, loggers and even amusement park operators benefit from UCON™ TRIDENT AW Fluids because they are readily biodegradable, fire resistant, and offer low aquatic toxicity to fish and wildlife.
UCON™ TRIDENT AW fluids have excellent anti-wear properties over a wide temperature range. These polyalkylene glycol (PAG) based fluids are available from Dow in three different grades and can be sourced through American Chemical Technologies (www.americanchemtech.com) in North America and are available globally by contacting The Dow Chemical Company.
The Importance of Hydraulic Fluids
Hydraulic fluids are the workhorses of the systems they help run. Hydraulic fluids transmit power, lubricate and help cool equipment and prevent rust and corrosion. Viscosity is the strength of the fluids’ cohesive force. It determines fluid friction and the drag moving parts exert, which pulls fluid over and between metal surfaces.
UCON™ TRIDENT AW Fluids have a broad operating range and can replace two or three viscosity grades of other, traditional fluids. Further, these fluids do not have to be changed out seasonally as do fluids like mineral oil. This feature is another money saver as companies using UCON™ TRIDENT AW Fluids do not have to shut down as frequently for maintenance and fluid change out.
Features & Benefits of UCON™ TRIDENT AW Fluids
- Biodegradability: UCON™ TRIDENT AW 32 Fluid is readily biodegradable according to OEDC 301B, while UCON™ TRIDENT AW 46 and 68 fluids are inherently biodegradable, also according to OEDC 301B standards.
- Low Aquatic Toxicity: According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, UCON™ TRIDENT AW Hydraulic Fluids meet requirements as “relatively harmless” or “practically non-toxic” to fish and other aquatic wildlife.
- No floating sheen on water: UCON™ TRIDENT AW Fluids are heavier than water, dissolve completely, and therefore leave no surface sheen, which can simplify cleanup and secondary water treatment requirements.
- Fire resistance: FM Approvals, using the latest test procedures, has classified UCON™ TRIDENT 46 AW and 68 AW as “Approved Industrial Fluids”, and UCON™ TRIDENT 32 AQ as a specification tested material.