Development of Military Biodegradable Hydraulic Fluids 2002-01-1503
U.S. Army Tank-Automotive RD&E center is currently developing biodegradable hydraulic fluids (BHFs) to replace military industrial and mobile hydraulic fluids that are incompatible with environment. Currently, the biodegradable hydraulic fluids are formulating with renewable products such as rapeseed, sunflower, corn, soybean, and canola and synthetic ester. These types of fluids are currently considered less toxic and more biodegradable than conventional hydraulic fluids.
During the 1994-2000, a market study was conducted to determine whether renewable hydraulic fluids would be suitable in military applications. In this study, twenty-six (26) renewable hydraulic fluids were evaluated against proposed target requirements. As a follow-up action, a field demonstration was conducted using ten construction equipment at Fort Bliss TX. To validate the environmental property, a field biodegradation test was also conducted at the re-mediation site of Fort Hood, TX. Based on the test results, a BHF specification (MIL-PRF-32073) was developed for use in the military construction and tactical equipment.
