Sinopec Hydraulic Oil: How to Choose the Right Viscosity Grade

Hydraulic systems are widely used in industrial machinery, manufacturing equipment, construction machinery and material handling systems. Hydraulic oil does more than simply lubricate the components. It also transfers power, helps control operating temperature and protects pumps, valves and other internal components.

Choosing the correct Sinopec hydraulic oil is therefore important for maintaining stable equipment performance and reducing unnecessary wear.

Sinopec offers hydraulic oils in different viscosity grades, including ISO VG 32, ISO VG 46 and ISO VG 68, depending on the product series and application requirements.

So, what is the difference between these viscosity grades, and how should you choose the right one for your hydraulic system?

What Is Hydraulic Oil?

Hydraulic oil is a specialized lubricant used in hydraulic systems to transmit power while lubricating and protecting internal components.

A typical hydraulic system may include:

• Hydraulic pumps
• Control valves
• Hydraulic cylinders
• Hydraulic motors
• Pipes and hoses
• Filters
• Oil reservoirs

During operation, hydraulic oil continuously circulates through these components. Its viscosity and overall performance therefore have a direct impact on system efficiency and reliability.

A suitable hydraulic oil should meet the equipment manufacturer's requirements for viscosity, wear protection, oxidation stability, foam control and other technical characteristics.

What Viscosity Grades Are Available for Sinopec Hydraulic Oil?

Depending on the product series, Sinopec hydraulic oils are available in several viscosity grades.

The Sinopec L-HM Antiwear Hydraulic Oil series includes common viscosity grades such as ISO VG 32, 46, 68, 100 and 150.

These oils are designed for hydraulic systems requiring anti-wear protection and reliable lubrication performance.

Sinopec also offers the L-HV series, which is available in different ISO VG grades and is designed for applications where operating temperatures may vary significantly.

Among these grades, ISO VG 32, ISO VG 46 and ISO VG 68 are commonly considered when selecting hydraulic oil for industrial equipment.

What Is the Difference Between ISO VG 32, 46 and 68?

ISO VG is a viscosity classification system used for industrial lubricants.

The higher the ISO VG number, the higher the nominal viscosity of the oil at the reference temperature.

In general:

Viscosity Grade	Approximate viscosity at 40°C
ISO VG 32	32 cSt
ISO VG 46	46 cSt
ISO VG 68	68 cSt

This does not mean that ISO VG 68 is better than ISO VG 46.

Each viscosity grade is intended for different operating conditions. The correct choice depends on the hydraulic system design, operating temperature, pump requirements and the equipment manufacturer's recommendation.

When Should You Use ISO VG 32 Hydraulic Oil?

ISO VG 32 has a lower viscosity than VG 46 and VG 68.

It may be considered for hydraulic systems requiring relatively low viscosity and good oil circulation, particularly in cooler operating environments or systems with higher flow requirements.

Typical applications may include:

• Machine tools
• Industrial hydraulic systems
• Automated equipment
• Certain high-speed hydraulic systems
• Selected mobile equipment

However, users should not select VG 32 solely because the equipment operates at high speed.

The final viscosity grade should always be based on the hydraulic equipment manufacturer's specifications and actual operating conditions.

When Should You Use ISO VG 46 Hydraulic Oil?

ISO VG 46 is one of the commonly used viscosity grades for industrial hydraulic systems.

It may be suitable for hydraulic equipment operating under normal industrial conditions when the manufacturer specifies VG 46.

Applications may include:

• Hydraulic presses
• Industrial machinery
• Factory hydraulic systems
• Machine tools
• Lifting equipment
• Selected mobile machinery

If the equipment documentation specifies Hydraulic Oil ISO VG 46, VG 46 should normally be the first viscosity grade to consider.

When Should You Use ISO VG 68 Hydraulic Oil?

ISO VG 68 has a higher viscosity than VG 32 and VG 46.

It may be suitable for hydraulic systems that require higher viscosity or operate under conditions where a thicker lubricating film is appropriate.

Potential applications include certain industrial hydraulic systems and equipment operating at higher temperatures or under heavier loads, provided that VG 68 is recommended by the equipment manufacturer.

However, users should not automatically replace VG 46 with VG 68 simply because the machine operates under heavy load.

Excessively high viscosity can also affect oil circulation, starting performance and system efficiency.

Should You Choose ISO VG 32, 46 or 68?

A simple way to understand the three grades is:

ISO VG 32: generally considered where lower viscosity and good oil circulation are required.

ISO VG 46: a common choice for many industrial hydraulic systems operating under normal conditions.

ISO VG 68: considered for systems requiring higher viscosity or operating under conditions suitable for a higher-viscosity oil.

However, these are general guidelines.

The equipment manufacturer's specification should always take priority.

If the machine manufacturer recommends ISO VG 46, switching to VG 68 without technical justification is not necessarily beneficial.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Sinopec Hydraulic Oil

1. Check the Manufacturer's Recommended Viscosity

Before purchasing hydraulic oil, check:

• Equipment manual
• Hydraulic system documentation
• Equipment nameplate
• Pump manufacturer's specifications
• Existing lubricant recommendation

If the equipment requires ISO VG 46, use a suitable VG 46 product rather than selecting another viscosity grade based only on personal preference.

2. Consider Operating Temperature

Temperature has a significant effect on oil viscosity.

As temperature increases, oil becomes less viscous. At lower temperatures, oil becomes more viscous.

For equipment exposed to significant temperature fluctuations, a hydraulic oil with an appropriate viscosity index may be required.

3. Consider System Pressure and Load

Hydraulic systems operating under high pressure and heavy loads require adequate protection for pumps and other components.

For these applications, selecting an anti-wear hydraulic oil that meets the equipment manufacturer's requirements can help improve component protection and operating reliability.

4. Check the Hydraulic Pump Type

Different hydraulic pump designs may have different lubricant requirements.

Gear pumps, vane pumps and piston pumps can operate under different pressure and temperature conditions.

Therefore, always check the pump manufacturer's recommended oil specifications.

5. Consider the Working Environment

Outdoor equipment and machinery operating under changing temperatures may require a lubricant with suitable viscosity-temperature characteristics.

Other factors such as oxidation resistance, rust protection, anti-foam performance and water separation should also be considered.

Choosing hydraulic oil should therefore involve more than simply looking at the numbers 32, 46 or 68.

Sinopec L-HM Antiwear Hydraulic Oil

Sinopec L-HM Antiwear Hydraulic Oil is an industrial hydraulic oil series developed for hydraulic systems requiring anti-wear protection.

Depending on the product, available viscosity grades include ISO VG 32, 46, 68, 100 and 150.

The product series is designed to provide lubrication and protection for hydraulic components under various industrial operating conditions.

For specific applications, users should check the technical data sheet of the exact product and viscosity grade before use.

Where to Buy Genuine Sinopec Hydraulic Oil?

For industrial hydraulic systems, selecting the correct technical specification is important, but product authenticity and supply source should also be considered.

CÔNG TY TNHH THƯƠNG MẠI QUỐC TẾ GOLDEN BRIDGE specializes in supplying genuine Sinopec lubricants for industrial machinery and equipment.

For customers looking for Sinopec hydraulic oil ISO VG 32, ISO VG 46 or ISO VG 68, Golden Bridge can provide product consultation based on equipment model, pump type, required viscosity and actual operating conditions.

If you are unsure which hydraulic oil is currently used in your machine, you can provide the equipment nameplate, pump model or current lubricant information for consultation before changing the oil.

Contact Information

CÔNG TY TNHH THƯƠNG MẠI QUỐC TẾ GOLDEN BRIDGE

Address: 915 Nguyen Trai Street, Cho Lon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Hotline/zalo/wechat: 0906.805.411 (Ms. Gia Nghi)  - 0938.296.211 (Ms Dung - Amy)

Email: goldenbridgevn84@gmail.com

Website: www.sinopecoil.vn

Golden Bridge – Genuine Sinopec lubricants and industrial lubrication solutions for machinery and equipment.

Conclusion

Choosing Sinopec hydraulic oil is not simply a matter of selecting the highest viscosity grade.

ISO VG 32, ISO VG 46 and ISO VG 68 are designed for different operating requirements. The appropriate choice should be based on the manufacturer's recommended viscosity, operating temperature, system pressure, pump type and actual working conditions.

If the equipment specifies ISO VG 46, choose a suitable VG 46 hydraulic oil. If it specifies VG 68, use VG 68.

The right viscosity is more important than simply choosing a thicker oil.