What happens to seals in a vegetable based hydraulic system if serviced with mineral or phosphate ester based fluid?

In vegetable-based hydraulic systems, seals are specifically designed to work with the properties of that type of fluid. These seals are typically made from materials that are compatible with the natural compounds found in vegetable oils. When these seals are exposed to mineral or phosphate ester-based fluids, which have very different chemical compositions, a reaction occurs.

The introduction of these different fluids can lead to the seals swelling significantly due to absorption, which can compromise their structural integrity. Over time, this swelling can cause the seals to break down, deteriorate, and ultimately lead to a failure in the sealing capability. This degradation can result in fragments of the seal entering the hydraulic system, which can block hydraulic passages and cause further issues, such as loss of pressure or operational failure of hydraulic components.

Thus, the swelling, breakdown, and eventual blockage of the system due to the use of incompatible fluids is a significant concern, highlighting the importance of using the recommended hydraulic fluids for a specific system.