Bimetal and metal bearings offer excellent corrosion resistance in industrial outdoor applications and in water, marine and offshore environments. GGB offers a broad range of sizes, forms and materials in monometallic and bimetallic bearings.

At GGB, we aren’t afraid to take risks for our customers. We are passionate about the work we do and believe that same passion contributes to the level of innovation that can enhance human potential. We take pride in working closely with customers in the early stage of a design to think broadly and boldly, and to expand beyond traditional surface engineered solutions. We offer reliable partnerships based on trust, compassion, determination, collaboration and respect.

‘Non-compressible’ means that the fluid cannot be compressed. Liquids are compressible to some degree, but it is incredibly negligible and not considered for our guide. In contrast, gases are compressible, and so are not used in hydraulics.

If you have any further questions about hydraulic oil not answered here, our hydraulic oil experts will be happy to help you. You can call our expert team today on 0330 123 1444 to discuss your own requirements and request a quote.

Under high heat, oil becomes less viscous and flows more easily, which means that it can leak or lose its required properties. Additives are used to retain viscosity for fluids used in applications involving exposure to higher temperatures.

GGB tribological solutions move the industrial world one step closer to the future. Our products are used in tens of thousands of critical applications every day—around the planet. Our goal is to provide reliable, maintenance-free surface solutions for almost any application—no matter where those demands take our products.

Usually applying force to material results in compression, so you may be wondering whether hydraulic oil is compressible or not, but a key property of hydraulic fluids is that they must be non-compressible.

Synthetic oils can be formulated to impart superior physical properties in comparison to mineral oils, for example, high-temperature performance, biodegradability and oxidation stability.

Depending on the application of hydraulic fluid, it may be subject to cold or hot temperatures. In some cases, hydraulic oil can be subjected to both hot and cold temperatures which can render the oil useless if it hasn’t been blended with the right additives.

Hydraulic fluids have temperature stability which means they’ll retain their properties within a particular temperature range. Anything above or below this will negatively affect the temperature stability and cause the fluid to either wax and freeze under cold conditions or lose viscosity and potentially leak under hotter temperatures. High heat can cause rapid deterioration of hydraulic oil.

What isaxialload

For a detailed list, you can speak with our knowledgeable team by calling us on 0330 123 1444 or alternatively, you can read our explainer of hydraulic oil classifications. Find out Crown Oil’s hydraulic oil product specs.

Below is a list of common uses for hydraulic oil and the type of additive/s which may be added to the oil to help it perform at its optimum level.

Depending on how you use our hydraulic oil, there will be extra additives which help it perform under different conditions.

A straight paraffinic mineral base oil will typically produce a fluid with a low viscosity index, whereas a paraffinic mineral base with viscosity improvers will produce a fluid with a high viscosity index.

Engineered as a solution to conquer misalignment reduction when high demands are placed on bearings, GGB's UNI, MINI and EXALIGN® self-aligning shaft bearing assemblies offer improved equipment performance under standard bearing assemblies by reducing stress and friction. Offering superior performance in a wide variety of applications, GGB's self-aligning assemblies are available in both standard and custom configurations.

Biodegradable hydraulic oil is used in applications where an oil spill or leak could potentially contaminate the environment. The typical base oil for biodegradable versions of hydraulic oil includes rapeseed oil and some other vegetable oils.

Hydraulic fluids are used in many applications across every industry. To give you an idea of the vast array of uses for hydraulic fluid and why industrial hydraulic oil is so important, here are 10 examples of equipment and machinery which use hydraulic oil:

In some applications, ceramic bearings, a type of radial bearing, are used to withstand high rotational speeds. The rolling elements are ceramic, which is significantly lighter than steel. This reduces the centrifugal force within ceramic bearings at high speeds.

Please note that the above examples are just a rough guide and some grades may cross over. It is always best to check with your supplier or manufacturer!

GGB’s TriboU is intended to provide the ​working engineer, who may or may not be a ​user of GGB’s surface engineered solutions, to ​understand and implement basic tribological ​concepts in the design, manufacture and ​use of industrial equipment.

GGB cylindrical bearings, with their high load capacity, are designed to support large radial loads. Our Fiber Reinforced Composite Bearings are especially apt for these applications with load capacities up to 415MPa.

Radial loadvs axialload

GGB has been putting the world in motion for over 120 years with industry-leading tribological bearings, coatings and assemblies. From Polymer Coatings and Metal-Polymer bearings to Fiber Reinforced Composite bearings and self-aligning shaft bearing assemblies, our solutions are specifically designed to reduce friction and optimize performance and durability.

Hydraulic oil is made from a variety of different ingredients, with one base fluid. These ingredients can often be mixed depending on the type of oil you require.

So, whether you need high-quality hydraulic oil for tractor supply, construction supply or for use in any other industry, we can supply a wide range of hydraulic fluids.

The key role of hydraulic oil in a hydraulic system is to transfer power from one end of that system to another end through and the various hydraulic components.

Radial loadformula

To measure the change in viscosity of hydraulic oil when the temperature changes, we use the oil viscosity index (VI). If hydraulic oil has a low viscosity index, a temperature change will alter the viscosity more than if it has a high viscosity index.

Hydraulic oil is a non-compressible fluid that is used to transfer power within hydraulic machinery and equipment. Otherwise known as hydraulic fluid, hydraulic oil can be synthetic- or mineral-based.

Although this useful fluid is commonly used in the transfer of power, hydraulic fluid can act as a sealant, coolant and lubricant within machinery and equipment.

GGB's diverse polymer coating solutions encompass some of the most state-of-the-art coating technologies available. Our TriboShield®  product line includes seven standard formulations that cover the full spectrum of mechanical, thermal and chemical capabilities offered by today's coating materials. They can also be applied to nearly any surface, regardless of shape or material, making their potential almost endless. And when it comes to working with and enhancing the performance of your existing bearing and polymer coatings solutions, our TriboMate product line is specifically designed to be paired up— all leading to enhanced performance.

Axialloadbearing

The excellent low friction and high wear resistance performance of GGB metal-polymer bearings make them ideal for hundreds of applications in numerous and diverse industries. Depending upon application requirements, metal-polymer composite bearings can be produced in many shapes and sizes.

When it comes to hydraulic oils, viscosity is the measurement of its resistance to flow and it is an important property of hydraulic fluids. This means the fluid will resist compression at different rates depending on its viscosity and take longer to pass through an orifice as the viscosity increases. Hydraulic fluid with high viscosity will be thicker and harder to compress and move as opposed to low viscosity hydraulic oil which will be thinner and pass through easier.

When an external force is applied to the non-compressible hydraulic fluid – usually from a piston within a cylinder – the oil is pushed through the hydraulic system and ultimately produces a force on another part of the system. This results in a movement or action.

In addition, GGB-MEGALIFE® XT Thrust Washer with PTFE tape liner is offered as a fiber reinforced composite PTFE thrust washer for heavy axial load applications that also require a solution with good chemical resistance.

Environmental hydraulic oil is a strong consideration for those using hydraulic machinery on farms, forests or similar environmentally sensitive sites. This is because the oil is made of a biodegradable base fluid so it will degrade naturally in the event of a spill.

Tribology is the science of wear, friction and lubrication, and encompasses how interacting surfaces and other tribo-elements behave in relative motion in natural and artificial systems. This includes bearing design and lubrication.

The hydraulic oil flash point is the lowest temperature at which enough vapours are released from the fluid which can be combustible.

When an additive company sells an additive pack, it will work alongside a particular manufacturer to create a product which works perfectly with that manufacturer’s application. This will be traceable by a hydraulic oil supplier who has used the additive in the fluid. Hydraulic oil ratings or approvals are stipulated by many end users of oil to ensure they’re using the correct fluid for their equipment.

Radial loadbearing

Some ball bearings are able to withstand a radial and axial load applied on the shaft, these combined axial/radial load bearings are achieved by axial angular contact. The angle of these axial radial bearings allows the axial load and the radial load to be distributed more evenly along the axial angular contact ball bearing.

Thrustloadvsradial load

The properties and characteristics of any hydraulic oil are vitally important to the capability of your hydraulic system to work within the operating conditions you need to use it in. This is especially true of industrial or commercial hydraulic oils.

Heavy-duty hydraulic oil is necessary for high-pressure environments where the fluid needs to be able to cope with large amounts of stress. The hydraulic oil additives used here will typically contain anti-wear properties. Anti-wear hydraulic oil is one of the most common blends used in industry and construction.

Give our hydraulic experts a call on 0330 123 1444 to place a hydraulic oil order with us. Available for delivery nationwide, within 48 hours of purchase, we’ll have your business well-oiled in no time.

For applications with high radial loads and the possibility of light axial loads, GGB Metal-Polymer Flanged Bearings are recommended.

Blenders are always trying to make hydraulic oil operate effectively over a wider range of temperatures. This means they’ll go down to low temperatures and still work as effectively as the temperature increases.

Copyright 2025 Crown Oil Ltd Company Reg No: 01315556 Approved by HMRC as a Registered Dealer in Controlled Oil #317 201 03

The SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) created a classification table (VI Scale) to show low to high viscosity levels depending on temperature °C. Originally the scale only went up to 100°C but with advances in hydraulic oil blends, the scale now goes above this number!

Axial andradial loadbearing

Radial ball bearings are designed to withstand forces that are perpendicular to the direction of the shaft, or radial loads. Radial bearings are the most common type.

GGB thrust washers and flanged thrust washers are offered for applications with heavy axial loads. These washers are available as a special form of our popular plain bearings including DP4® and DU® self-lubricating bearing materials.

Commonly known as condition monitoring, a hydraulic oil analysis service is used by people who want the most out of their oil before they have to change it in their hydraulic application.

GGB seeks out collaborative, long-term relationships with each one of our customers. Our diverse expertise gives us a deep understanding of the challenges you face.  When you partner with us early, our GGB engineering team is able to review your assemblies and make sure both the bearing and surrounding components are optimized for performance and cost-effectiveness.

Sign up to our email marketing with the latest company, industry and product news delivered straight to your inbox, twice a month.

Hydraulic oil with a high VI will usually be required in an application which is subjected to a greater range of ambient and/or operating temperatures.

Hydraulic fluids play an ever-important part in commercial use, and it’s vital that you source premium quality hydraulic oil from a supplier you can trust.

We've noticed you have got JavaScript disabled. To get the full experience from this website, we strongly recommend you enable JavaScript in your browser.

Radial loadexample

Axial bearings, or thrust bearings, are designed to withstand force in the same direction as the shaft. This is called an axial load, or thrust load.

The viscosity of hydraulic oil and temperature is closely linked. As temperature increases, the viscosity of the oil will decrease – a bit like when you put cooking oil in a cold pan it moves slowly but when the pan heats up the oil moves around very quickly and with ease. As the temperature drops hydraulic oil will become more viscous.

In the UK, ISO VG is used mainly for grading hydraulic oil. Below is a list of common hydraulic oil ISO grades and a general guide to their applications:

This chart should be read horizontally. It assumes 96 VI single-grade oils. The equivalence is in terms of viscosity at 40°C only. Viscosity limits are just approximate; for precise data then you should consult your supplier, ISO, AGMA and SAE specifications. W grades are represented only in terms of approximate 40°C viscosity. For low-temperature limits, consult SAE specifications.

Hydraulic power is required in some of the coldest places on earth. In these cases, anti-freeze additives are used to prevent the fluid from freezing up or waxing. Low-temperature hydraulic oil is commonly used as a name for fluid which needs to be used in icy conditions.

The majority of oils which are produced are either mineral-based or synthetic. Mineral-based hydraulic oils are derived from crude oil fractions whereas synthetic hydraulic oils are made using chemically produced base fluids.

This works by sending a sample of the hydraulic oil to a lab which analyses the sample and reports back with details as to whether it’s good to use further or if it needs to be changed. This gives the end user reassurance that it is still usable and no damage can be done to expensive equipment due to dirty or worn oil.

GGB's Fiber Reinforced Composite products typically consists of a filament-wound, fiberglass-impregnated, epoxy backing with a variety of low-friction wear-resistant bearing linings. These self-lubricating fiber reinforced composite bearings are particularly effective in applications where the relative motion is not sufficient to promote circulation of the oil or grease used with more conventional bearings. GGB Fiber Reinforced Composite bearings are available as bushes, plates, bearing segments and special forms, depending on the particular material type.

Few, if any, fluids perfectly meet the above criteria. However, there is a comprehensive range of hydraulic oils that specialise in meeting the above properties for the set of conditions in which they are required to operate. Those conditions can range from being required to operate in low temperatures (winter hydraulic oil), high temperatures and a variety of others.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure of choosing the right hydraulic oil for your machinery, you’ll know all too well the minefield of information that’s out there in books or online. Instead of getting lost in the world of hydraulic fluid, hydraulic liquids or hydraulic lubricants, why not take a look at our easy-to-follow guide to hydraulic oil? It’s everything you need to know about hydraulic oils!

Hydraulic oil is used in many industries and in a wide variety of applications. Read our guide to hydraulic fluids to learn more.

For the varied applications of hydraulic fluid, blenders will mix the base oil with additives of different types to make the properties of hydraulic oil different.

ISO VG – ISO Grade (where ISO is the International Standards Organisation) – the higher the VG number the more viscous the fluid is. The VG number tells you which hydraulic oil is thicker. This is sometimes referred to as the hydraulic oil weight. At the same time, grades with a W next to them indicate the weight (Unlike automobile engine oil which refers to winter oil).

GGB's Engineered Plastic Polymer bearings provide excellent wear resistance and low friction in both dry and lubricated operating conditions over a wide range of applications. Engineered plastic bearings are made from thermoplastic bearing material processed by injection moulding. This production method enables us to produce unlimited dimensions in accordance to our standard, and also parts with special designs and features.

The viscosity of a hydraulic fluid is measured in Centistokes (cSt) and usually at temperatures of 40°C or 100°C. The value will always have the temperature next to it as without this the value will be meaningless. A fluid’s viscosity is measured in a lab using a viscometer as pictured below!

These additives are used on their own and together in different blends which are created for different purposes. Hydraulic oil properties can be altered depending on which additives are used, but the typical characteristics tend to be a high viscosity index and be incompressible.

... some high precision bearings are specially manufactured to withstand support loads, or bearing loads, in various directions. Two examples are radial loads and axial loads, or thrust loads.GGB offers a range of plain bearing solutions that are able to support radial loads, axial loads, or both types of loads.