If you've done research into metalworking, chances are you've seen cutting fluids mentioned as an integral part of of the metalworking process, but their purpose and composition might not be immediately clear. You may be asking yourself: what are cutting fluids? What are the different types of cutting fluids, and how do they fit into my metalworking practice? Today, we'll attempt to answer each of those questions with a brief introduction to cutting fluids, and how they might be properly utilized within a metalworking operation.
What Are Cutting Fluids, and What Do They Do?
What are cutting fluids? Simply put, cutting fluids are a class of lubricant specifically designed for metalworking processes, such as machining and stamping. Aside from cutting fluid, they may also be referred to as cutting oil, cutting compound, coolant, or lubricant.
Cutting fluids are an important part of the metalworking process because they help reduce the effects of friction, as well as carrying away heat that is created in operations. This is critical to the success of machining processes because excessive heat can damage metal at a microstructural level. With the temperature and frictional control they provide, they can also improve part quality and allow for greater degrees of accuracy in the dimension of parts created. Finally, they're also useful in flushing away metal chips that are created during the process.
What Are the Different Kinds of Cutting Fluids?
There are four main types of lubricants, each of which serves a different purpose within machining.
Straight Oils - Composed of a base mineral or petroleum oil, straight oils often contain pressure additives such as sulphur or chlorine. They are best utilized in machining operations where they're able to work in an undiluted form. They provide some of the best lubrication of any cutting fluid, but don't possess many of the cooling properties of their counterparts.
Synthetic Fluids - On the opposite end of the spectrum, synthetic fluids are composed of alkaline components and additives to prevent corrosion. Unlike straight oils, they are able to be diluted and are the best form of cutting fluid for cooling.
Soluble Oils - When mixed with water, soluble oils form an emulsion when mixed with water. The result is a concentrate that contains both the emulsions and a base mineral oil that helps stabilize the mixture. This is the most cost effective cutting fluid, and is one of the most widely used today, offering a strong mix of lubrication and heat transfer.
Semi-Synthetic Fluids - Finally, semi-synthetic fluids are a combination of soluble oils and synthetic fluids. They offer much of the cost effectiveness of soluble oils with the cooling power of synthetic fluids, allowing for a best-of-both-words solution to your cutting fluid needs.
Which Cutting Fluid is Right for Me?
Once you're able to comfortably answer "what are cutting fluids?" the next question many operators have is which method of lubrication is right for them? Ultimately, the answer will depend on what you're hoping to achieve, as well as what your priorities are with your machining process. For example: if you're working in machining that requires very fine details and very little room for error, temperature control is key, which makes synthetic lubricant a strong choice. Likewise, if you're more concerned about flushing and lubrication and are less concerned about cooling, you may find that straight oils are the right choice for your operation.
Your needs and your budget will determine the right choice for your metalworking operation, but no matter what you choose, you'll be making a valuable decision that can positively impact the service life of your metalworking machinery. Ensuring that your machinery is well-lubricated and cool as a part of a regular maintenance schedule will help you avoid costly repairs down the road, as well as helping to ensure operator safety. With almost 2.5 million metric tonnes of metalworking fluids sold in 2016, there's no shortage of people who understand the critical safety cutting fluids can provide.
If you have questions about the right cutting fluid for your budget and operations, contact us today.