Our goal with this post is a general overview of Torque Fluid, we won’t be delving into any quantum physics, so if you’re a super advanced reader, you may be looking for something more in-depth. If you’re looking for a more general understanding of how torque fluid works, you’ve come to the right place!
What is Torque Fluid?
Maybe you have heard of the term “torque fluid” and were curious as to what it was used for and what it does. Torque fluid is the hydraulic fluid used in a torque converter. The viscosity (or how thick or “runny” the liquid is) helps to transfer the pressure and makes the conversion process more effective. While this may be great for heavy-duty machinery, such as construction equipment, it isn’t always what you would want in machines with less weight, like your car. The thicker the fluid is, the more energy it transfers from one part of the transmission to another.
What is the role of Torque Fluid?
Torque fluid allows transmission clutches to change gears when a differential between input or output occurs. Sometime the differential can be pretty high, and without the aid of torque fluid, there would be a far greater risk of transmission damage, or mechanical problems, and machines would be restricted to mechanical gears with interlocking teeth. Torque fluid is probably easiest to think of as a liquid gear, transferring torque from the engine to the transmission. It does much of the same work as a metal gear without the risk of wear and tear that mechanical parts routinely suffer. As such, it’s easy to see how vital this hydraulic fluid is in making a piece of heavy machinery move. There’s a great, easy to follow post on how torque converters work on the HowStuffWorks site.
The engine provides the force that allows a vehicle to move, but that power has to be controlled and directed so as to prevent damage to the power train and the wheels. A clutch and transmission serves as the intermediary; and torque fluid works as a lubricant and a gear to keep the parts moving as fast as needed without risking damage.
At K&L Clutch and Transmission, we proudly provide Twin Disc Torque Converter Fluid. In our opinion, you won’t find a better hydraulic torque fluid on the market.
View our Torque Fluid Selection
