2007-12-12 15:02:46 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Because gas (vapor) would just compress under pressure and you would have no control over the cylinder under pressure.
Hydraulic fluid does NOT compress and therefor gives the user control over the speed and travel distance of the hydraulic piston.
2007-12-12 15:11:38 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm pretty old and have never seen a hydraulic system that didn't have some type of hydraulic fluid or another. High tech shock absorbers have gas filled (nitrogen) which helps to keep the hydraulic oil from foaming at high temperatures.
As you know heat causes air to expand hydraulic action needs oil to seal the O rings and seals that's why oil is used. The hydraulic pump needs something positive to pump. If air pressure were used the machine would be spongy and unpredictable. It would need to be used with a regulator and an air pump.
There are some instances where air is used in reversing electronic air controllers.
2007-12-12 15:13:07 · answer #2 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
+1 for MrKnowItAll's answer
2007-12-12 15:30:35 · answer #3 · answered by mastermind 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋