Hydraulics and pneumatics both deal with the application of power. However, you need to consider a few critical differences between pneumatics and hydraulics.

This post will take a closer look at the two to answer one question, what is the difference between hydraulics and pneumatics?

Hydraulics & Pneumatics in a Nutshell

Hydraulics deals with the generation, control, and transmission of power through utilizing pressurized liquids. Common examples of hydraulic systems include water guns, cranes, forklifts, and dump truck lifts.

While hydraulic systems use pressurized hydraulic fluids, pneumatic systems exchange fluids for gasses. These systems use two types of gasses, nitrogen and compressed air, a mixture of all the gasses the atmosphere contains.

7 Significant Differences Between Hydraulics and Pneumatics

The following reviews the seven essential differences between the two systems.

1. Operation

Hydraulic systems use fluids like water or oil to transmit power, while pneumatic systems use air and gasses.

2. Force

We use pneumatic systems for areas that need relatively low forces and quicker motion and where stiffness isn’t necessary. On the other hand, hydraulic systems are more suitable for applications that require high force and stiffness in position.

3. Areas of Use

Hydraulic applications include vehicle brakes, cranes, hydraulic lifts, and forklifts. Examples of pneumatic applications include air guns, jackhammers, nail guns, actuators, and pneumatic air brakes.

4. Load

With hydraulic systems able to handle larger forces, they can carry more load than pneumatic systems. Hydraulic equipment can also operate at higher pressures.

5. Installation and Maintenance

Installing hydraulic systems is complex, and maintenance costs are high. Alternatively, the installation of pneumatic systems proves simpler, and maintenance costs less.

6. Delay

Since you can compress a gas, pneumatic systems often have delays in their movement. However, hydraulic systems do not incur any delays.

7. Storage

Pneumatic systems can draw the air from the atmosphere, needing only a filter to purify it. Hydraulic systems need a tank to store oil or water, drawing from it when a deficit arises.

Applications of Hydraulics

Due to the risk of leaks, we do not use hydraulic systems in medical and food applications. However, these systems find essential uses in areas such as:

• Hydraulic brake systems in vehicles
• Wing flaps on aircrafts
• Dump truck lifts
• Wheelchair lifts
• Turbines
• Excavating arms for digger
• Machine tools like hoppers, hydraulic presses, rams, and cylinders
• Elevators
• Various rides in amusement parks
• Dams
• Hydraulic presses that forge metal parts

Applications of Pneumatics

With numerous pneumatic applications available, some of the critical examples of areas we use pneumatic systems include:

• Packing
• Filling
• Hoisting, drilling, clamping, assembling, punching, and riveting
• Industrial robots
• Braking systems, for instance, in railway coaches, printing presses, wagons, and even automobiles
• Pneumatic equipment that opens and closes doors
• In riveting hammers
• In logic controlling operations and equipment that handle different types of materials
• In metal-forming processes

Our High-Quality Industrial Supplies

At  Greenshields Industrial Supply, we aim to help you find products that meet your needs. Our knowledgeable and experienced team guarantees your satisfaction, whether you are in the market for products for warehouses, contractors, manufacturers, or governments.

Call Greenshields Industrial Supply at 425-426-2415 today and get access to basic hydraulics and pneumatics.