Metalworking fluids are also called suds, soap or slurry. They are industrial lubricants used in the machining of metals for cooling and lubrication. This market is at an all-time high and is expected to hit $9.74 billion by 2020.

Are They Harmful?

Exposure to these fluids can cause skin irritation, bronchitis, occupational asthma, breathing difficulties, lung disease called extrinsic alveolitis, or the irritation of the upper respiratory tract.

What Are The Types Of Metal Working Fluids?

Metalworking fluids have a broad range of functions which naturally require different ingredients. Some functions, however, are the same for all types of metalworking fluids. Such functions include lubricating, cooling, removing swarfs, compatibility with humans and the environment, and protection against corrosion.

These industrial supplies are usually chosen for technical reasons, based on the preferred MWF by the metalworking machine manufacturer, type of machining, whether coarse or fine, and finally, the material of the workpiece. The ideal MWF then gets examined for its hazardous potential, which includes the allergen content and the emission behavior of the base oil.

The main issue about all metalworking fluids is that the more they are used, the more get contaminated with impurities. An example is the hydraulic fluid from systems that are leaking, or corrosion protection agents from the upstream plant. However, they are only tolerated up to a specific limit, and when this limit is crossed, machining problems can start being noticed.

Non-water miscible oils

Non-water miscible MWF consists of up to 95% base oil. These comprise of mineral oil, synthetic oil or ester oil such as unrefined or even chemically modified rapeseed oil. For sustainability purposes, the share of the re-refined oils has been growing. This satisfies the same technical specifications, such as primary raw materials.

Antioxidants, anti-mist additives and lubricity enhancers are common ingredients of non-water metalworking fluids. Nonetheless, the component that determines risk is the base oil, especially if it gets aerosolized or become airborne as a result of the high working load. This may be due to high feed pressure, elevation temperature when machining, or the high speed of workpiece rotation.

Non-water miscible MWF is not prone to microbial contamination, and therefore they have a long service life. However, one must, by all means, prevent the incursion of water or the aqueous media. To remove the fine abrasion particles requires effort as well as increased service life. Contamination oils such as hydraulics and tramp oil can be emulsified in some MWFs; thereby hydraulics gets the emulsifying product to separate contaminants.

Straight oils

Besides being so useful in the machining operations and as cutting fluids, they are non-emulsifiable. These oils function in the undiluted form. They are composed of a base mineral and sometimes even petroleum oil. They also mostly contain a polar lubricant such as vegetable oil esters or fats. These oils also contain extreme pressure additives such as Sulphur, phosphorus and chlorine. For better lubrication, it is wise to use these oils, even though they have not-so-good cooling characteristics.

Soluble Oils

These usually form an emulsion upon being mixed with water. The concentrate gotten has emulsions as well as a base mineral that produces a stable emulsion. They work best in their soluble state, offering excellent lubrication as well as heat transfer. They are the most widely used yet they are the least expensive of all cutting oils.

Synthetic oils

Synthetic oils, on the other hand, do not contain petroleum or oil base. However, synthetic oils are formulated from alkaline organic and inorganic compounds and also additives that prevent corrosion. For better performance, they have to be in their diluted form. Synthetic lubricants are the best in lubricating and cooling, out of all other fluids.

Semi-synthetic fluids

A mixture of soluble oils and synthetic oils give you semi-synthetic fluids. They transfer heat and just the same way as soluble and synthetic fluids. The price also is the same.

There you have heard it. Before determining the type of lubricant for metal work you require, you need to do in-depth research to get it right the first time. The above description of the types of MWF at your disposal will ensure that you make the right choice when buying it.