In 2016, almost 2.5 million metric tons of metalworking and cutting fluids were sold worldwide, according to the Future Market Insights report. Nanotechnology is an emerging field that involves the understanding and application of materials, structures, devices, circuits, and systems at the nanometer scale. It is a rapidly growing scientific field whose impact will be seen in many industries, especially metalworking. The following are some of the impacts of nanotechnology on metalworking.

Nanotechnology Enhances Properties of Materials

Nanotechnology has created new ways to enhance materials for metalworking and cutting fluids. For instance, alloyed steels are stronger, more durable, and corrosion-resistant than other steels. Depending on how ingredients are combined throughout the material structure, they can be customized for different applications. Metals that cannot be easily molded into complex shapes can be treated with carbon nanotubes to make them four times stronger without losing flexibility.

Revolutionizes Various Sectors

Nanotechnology has been gaining significant attention as a technology that could revolutionize various electronics, healthcare, and defense sectors. A new emerging area within nanotechnology is metalworking nanomaterials (MWM). MWM uses engineered nanoparticles in metalworking and cutting fluids to make it more efficient or provide novel characteristics for finished products. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently invested over $20 million to three universities to support research and development projects involving MWM.

Lowers the Cost of Lubrication in Metalworking Process

Another potential area of nanotechnology application is lubricants used in metalworking processes. The role of lubricants is to prevent metal-to-metal contact, or adhesion between two surfaces, which can result in serious damage to one or both components resulting in wearing away, galling, or welding. Nanotechnology makes metalworking and cutting fluids with potentially improved equipment performance and lower cost.

Nanotechnology Improves the Performance of Metalworking and Cutting Fluids

Nanotechnology can also potentially improve the performance of metalworking and cutting fluids. It can modify the fluid's rheology, the ability for a liquid or gas to flow, which is a function of its viscosity. For instance, adding nanoparticles to metalworking and cutting fluids can reduce the fluid's high shear-thinning properties or increase low shear thickening properties. Generally, applications that require high shear-thinning fluids may benefit from using metalworking and cutting fluids with nanoparticles due to improved fluid stability.

In this era, technology is developing very fast. The metalworking industry is also changing with time, and different applications are being developed for this purpose. Many clients' testimonials show that nanotechnology positively impacts the metalworking and manufacturing industries.