Metalworking is a huge industry, which means there are countless materials and manufacturers within it. In order to understand the industry, it's important to first get an idea of what kinds of materials are used. That's why we've compiled this short guide to common types of cutting fluids and metalworking fluids.

Straight Oils

Straight oils, also referred to as neat oils or cutting oils, are incredibly versatile when used as a metalworking fluid. These oils can be composed of a few different types of oil, including vegetable, animal, and marine oils. It's also possible to create these types of cutting fluids with petroleum. One of the most important things to note about straight oils is that they aren't diluted. This means they're ideal for use as a lubricant for metal work in heavy machining processes.

Synthetic Oils

Synthetic oils don't contain any petroleum in them. Instead, they're diluted with synthetics and organic/inorganic salts to create a clear solution to work with. The most common use for synthetic fluids in metalworking is to keep the workpiece you're using damp. Doing so can help prevent dust, smoke, and mist during the grinding process. The only downside to using synthetic fluids is that they can be harsh and contribute to corrosion over time. It's important to make sure you're choosing synthetic fluids for the right types of projects.

Soluble Oils

Soluble oil's main purpose is to prevent welding between cutting tools and the pieces they're machining. In essence, this means that the purpose of fluids like this is to cool and lubricate cutting tools so they can operate more effectively and for longer periods of time. This is so important that up to 20 liters of metalworking fluids can be used per minute in some cases. Since soluble oils contain pure petroleum, they're particularly good for lubricating machine parts. Because they're so highly effective in this regard, it's possible to use less fluid, which is a more cost-effective solution for many metalworking professionals.

Metalworking fluids play a huge role in the industry. For all of your metalworking questions, don't hesitate to turn to our team. We're here to help you out.