Water soluble cutting fluids: FAQs
- How can we prevent the discoloration (staining) of aluminum (machined products)?
- 1. Please use the appropriate concentration.
2. Remove any other oils that become mixed in the tank, as these can often stain the product. Installation of an oil skimmer is recommended.
3. After machining, use air blowing to remove any oil attached to the product. The effect is further enhanced by washing with water or using cleaning agents.
4. Contact a distributor or our company directly for a recommended product. - How can we prevent skin problems?
- The occurrence of skin problems will vary depending on the constitution and physical condition of the individual, but generally the following four methods can be used.
1. Please wash your hands frequently. We recommend using a protective cream after washing your hands.
2. Wear protective gloves whenever possible.
3. If wearing gloves is difficult, apply protective cream to the hands before performing the work.
4. Consider reassigning personnel who are particularly sensitive to cutting fluids. - How can we prevent decay?
- The following are six commonly used methods.
1. Replace the fluid periodically.
2. Use a fluid that has good antiseptic properties.
3. Be thorough about dilution concentration and pH management.
4. Remove the oil floating in the tank.
5. Periodically circulate the fluid in the tanks on machines that have a low rate of utilization.
6. Add an additive (alkaline value modifying agent or disinfectant) if a machine tool will be stopped for a long period of time. - How can we reduce foaming?
- The following are the four methods generally used.
1. Use cutting fluids that have excellent anti-forming properties. You are recommended to check with your distributor or our company.
2. Use cutting fluids that have excellent anti-foaming properties.
3. Please use them at the appropriate concentration. You are recommended to check with your distributor or our company.
4. Be thorough about concentration management (20- to 30-fold dilution) and use the appropriate dilution ratio. - How should we dilute the concentrated fluid?
- After pouring water, add the required amount of concentrated fluid and stir.
1. If you pour the concentrated fluid first and add water, the emulsification form may change and the stability may be disrupted.
2. If the tank capacity is not known, prepare the fluid to the recommended replenishment dilution concentration beforehand with a pail can, etc., and pour it in. Using a mixing valve (automatic diluter) enables accurate and easy dilution. - How can we prevent the paint on the machine tool from peeling off?
- Use a paint that is appropriate for use with water soluble cutting fluids.
Paints such as phthalic resin coatings and lacquer have weak resistance to water soluble cutting fluids and this causes peeling. We recommend the use of paints that are baked, such as urethane paint or epoxy paint.
Cutting fluids with a high pH value also tend to cause paint peeling. - What are the precautions regarding machine tool compatibility when using water soluble cutting fluids?
- Please check whether the machine tool supports water soluble cutting fluids.
If the tool uses paint that has weak resistance to water soluble cutting fluids, then the paint may peel off.
Also, if the sealant used on the tool has weak resistance to water soluble cutting fluids, then problems such as expansion, contraction or melting may occur. - How should we manage the concentration?
- The measurement of the concentration on site is generally performed using a refractometer (saccharimeter).
Concentration calibration curve diagrams have been prepared for each fluid, so please contact us to request one.
When performing the measurement, be careful that the floating oils in the tank are not mixed in. - How should we dispose of the waste liquid from the water soluble cutting fluids?
- When disposing of water soluble cutting fluids, it is necessary to perform waste liquid treatment.
It is also necessary to continue the treatment until the nature of the liquid after processing complies with the environmental standards defined by the local government.
Therefore, in general situations, we recommend that you contract a waste liquid disposal company to dispose of the waste liquid from water soluble cutting fluids. - What types of water soluble cutting fluids are available?
- The following four types of water soluble cutting fluids are available.
1. Emulsion type
This type is cloudy like milk when it is diluted in water. It has a large amount of base oil and surfactant as its main ingredients and it has excellent lubricating performance.
2. Soluble type
This type becomes transparent or semi-transparent when it is diluted in water. It has a relatively large amount of surfactant as its main ingredient and only a small amount of base oil. It has excellent cleaning properties.
3. Synthetic solution type
This type becomes transparent when it is diluted in water. It has synthetic lubricants as its main ingredient and has excellent cleaning and cooling properties.
4. Chemical solution type
This type becomes completely transparent when it is diluted in water. It has inorganic salts as its main ingredient and has excellent cleaning and cooling properties. - What is the service life of water soluble cutting fluids? Also, how is the end of the service life judged?
- The fluid can be judged to be at the end of its service life when the following occur.
1. When the liquid has deteriorated drastically.
When there is noticeable decay or rust, even if the concentration is appropriate.
When the pH does not rise at all even after replenishing the cutting fluid, and recovery of the fluid cannot be expected.
When there is no increase in pH seen even if the concentration is high and the recovery of the liquid cannot be expected.
2. When there is an extremely large amount of other oils mixed in.
When the appearance of the fluid has changed drastically (changed to brown or gray color). When the stickiness on the machine has become severe.
The service life of the fluid will vary depending on the conditions of use, but generally it is replaced between every six months to two years. - What are the precautions for the storage of water soluble cutting fluids?
- Store the fluid indoors and away from extremely high or low temperatures.
Also, always keep the lid of the concentrated fluid closed during storage to prevent the mixing in of moisture and foreign materials.
Avoid storing the fluid for long periods and use it within six months. - Are there any regulations regarding the storage location for water soluble cutting fluids or regarding the amount that can be stored?
- The majority of water soluble cutting fluids are classified as "non-hazardous materials" under the Fire Service Act.
It is not necessary to submit notification for the storage, etc., of non-hazardous materials.
Please use the MSDS to check whether or not the Fire Service Act is applicable. - What are the precautions when selecting water soluble cutting fluids?
- There are a large number of water soluble cutting fluids available and there is great variety between them.
The trends are therefore slightly different between different products, but the precautions for the selection of generally available water soluble cutting fluids are as follows for each type.
1. Emulsion type
This type contains a large amount of mineral oil, so it can easily remain on the machinery or products and lead to stickiness or a deterioration in the cleaning properties. The antiseptic properties of this type also tend to be inferior to those of the soluble type.
2. Soluble type
This type has excellent permeability and cooling properties, but its lubricating performance tends to be inferior to that of the emulsion type. Also, the mixing in of lubricating oils or other substances can cause it to become clouded.
3. Synthetic solution type
These have excellent cooling properties, but in the machining of soft materials such as aluminum, the finished surface roughness tends to be inferior to when using the emulsion type.
4. Chemical solution type
These do not contain base oil, so they cannot be expected to produce good lubricating performance. They have high permeability, so there is a risk of paint peeling and skin problems. - Are there any cutting fluids that do not discolor even when grinding cemented carbide?
- Our Grind Star 3000 can suppress discoloration.
Suppressing discoloration stabilizes the liquid properties, suppresses rust and stickiness, and maintains anti-foaming and chip sedimentation properties, realizing a longer service life of the liquid. - How can we reduce bonderizing defects during cold forging?
- Our product TOOLMATE S-4627N4 enables removal of floating bonderizing foreign matter with an oil skimmer.
By removing it, it is possible to maintain the accuracy of processed products, suppress deposits and rust on products/equipment, and extend the service life of the liquid. - How can we reduce the stickiness of equipment and products?
- Our product TOOLMATE BS-1 is effective in cleaning chip residue and oil adhering to equipment and products.
By suppressing equipment contamination, equipment maintenance is reduced and short-term stoppages of equipment become less frequent.
