Skydrol
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Skydrol is an advanced fire resistant aviation hydraulic fluid[1] manufactured by Solutia Inc. There are various lines of Skydrol including Skydrol 500B-4, Skydrol LD-4, and Skydrol 5.
Skydrol is made up of a group of chemical additives dissolved into a fire-resistant phosphate ester base stock which inhibits corrosion and prevents erosion damage to servo valves and includes a purple dye to ease identification. It has been approved by most airframe manufacturers including Airbus Industries, Boeing and British Aerospace and has been used in their products for over 40 years.[2]
Skydrol contains a small amount of a PFOS, which is not listed on the MSDS.[3]
Solutia Inc. built a new facility to produce Skydrol and SkyKleen aviation cleaning solutions in Anniston, Alabama in 2005.
Acid and contamination must be monitored while using Skydrol, and generally hydraulic systems should be sampled every C check.[4] Skydrol has a 10 year shelf life from the date of manufacture.
Skydrol fluids are irritating to human tissue. Gloves and goggles are recommended safety equipment when servicing Skydrol systems. If the fluid gets on the skin it creates an itchy, red rash with a burning sensation which feels similar to a sunburn. The effects subside within a few hours, and studies indicate that Skydrol causes no permanent damage to human tissue. Castor oil can be applied to the effected area to neutralize the burning.
