U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineer (RD&E) Center has developed bio-based/biodegradable hydraulic fluids (BHFs) to replace military industrial and mobile hydraulic fluids which are incompatible with environment. The BHFs are formulated with renewable products (i.e. rapeseed, canola, soybean, corn, and sunflower) and synthetic ester such as polyol ester or diester. These types of oils are currently considered as readily biodegradable products. As a part of this R&D program, the MIL-PRF-32073 biodegradable hydraulic fluid specification was developed to cover military construction and tactical equipment. One of concerns in this R&D program was whether bio-based fluids qualified under MIL-PRF-32073 specification are compatible each other. To clarify this issue, a compatibility study was conducted using bio-based products qualified under the biodegradable hydraulic fluid specification. This paper will address their compatibility, test methods including biodegradation test, and findings.
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