A proven radioactive wear measurement technique is proposed as a method for measuring wear in hydraulic components. This technique utilizes small irradiated areas of wearing surfaces, permitting the measurement of the wear of each surface from a point external to the component. The technique has been used successfully in the measurement of wear in several applications including internal engine component wear.
The proposed areas for investigating the application of this technique are the metallic wearing areas of hydraulic system components, i.e., pumps, motors, valves, cylinders, etc. This method could provide a direct relationship between surface wear and performance degradation of the component.
