{"id":2776,"date":"2024-03-07T15:52:38","date_gmt":"2024-03-07T14:52:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/encyclopedia\/friction-losses\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T11:52:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T09:52:43","slug":"friction-losses","status":"publish","type":"encyclopedia","link":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/friction-losses\/","title":{"rendered":"Friction Losses"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Friction Losses Reduce Efficiency<\/h1>

In all mechanical, hydromechanical, and pneumatic systems, friction losses<\/a> are the main cause of poor efficiency. Friction losses<\/a> cause part of the supplied energy to be converted into unusable heat, which can certainly lead to problems. <\/p>

Friction Losses Are Unavoidable in Mechanical Systems<\/h2>

Wherever two moving elements come into contact, friction occurs. However, these do not necessarily have to be solid bodies. Fluids and gases also create friction along the walls of their lines or at the interfaces of modules and fittings. The result is always the same: the supplied energy is partially converted into heat, which is rarely usable. As a rule, it is dissipated through elaborate cooling systems or radiates unused into the environment. <\/p>

For hydraulic systems<\/a>, this means that friction reduces the pressure and, above all, the flow velocity in a hydraulic system<\/a>. Increasing the pressure through higher pump output is only the second-best solution. Ideally, friction losses<\/a> in hydraulic system<\/a>s should always be minimized as comprehensively as possible. <\/p>

Causes of Friction Losses<\/h3>

Friction itself is unavoidable. However, it can be promoted by certain factors. In straight pipelines, rough surfaces on the inside are a typical cause of friction. Pipes should therefore always be as smooth as possible to avoid or minimize this friction. Branches, T-pieces, or installed modules such as valves or fittings further increase friction losses<\/a>. Unclean connections, seals protruding into the flow, offsets at couplings, poor welds, and protruding sealing screws are additional causes of unwanted friction. However, friction and friction losses<\/a> also occur in pipes optimized for flow dynamics. <\/p>

Mathematically Capturing Friction Losses<\/h3>

The friction losses<\/a> occurring under optimal conditions can, however, be well captured mathematically. This makes it possible to incorporate them into the planned efficiency of a hydraulic system<\/a>. Thus, the entire system can be optimized so that it can deliver its desired performance with minimal energy input. The basis for calculating friction losses<\/a> is the so-called “pipe friction factor.” This, in turn, is calculated from the so-called “Reynolds number,” named after the physicist Osbourne Reynolds. It indicates the ratio of the inertia of a medium to its viscosity. The Reynolds number is formed from the factors: <\/p>