YOUR GUIDE TO SELECTING THE BEST CUTTING FlUID

Cutting fluids are a crucial part of the machining process; they are the backbone of the metalwork industry. Hence, ample thought must be put into choosing the right cutting fluid. In this regard, let us first try to understand something about the machining process and the role of the cutting fluid.

• Machining is a process where a material (often metal) is cut to a desired final size and shape, by a controlled material removal process.
• Machining is a part of the manufacturing process of many metal products.

During the machining process, friction between the workpiece cutting tool and the cutting tool chip raises the temperature of the cutting tool. It typically diminishes the working capacity of the tool, makes the surface rough, and decreases the dimensional sensitiveness of the work material. To deal with this, cutting fluids are used in all the machining processes.

Now that we have a brief idea about cutting fluids, let us look at the various factors you must consider before selecting the right cutting fluid. The critical pointers given below can act as a selection guide for you.

1. Acquiring knowledge regarding the operations

The variant of the cutting fluid that you pick will depend upon the type of operation that you have to execute. The four significant applications of cutting fluids are:

• Cooling
• Lubrication
• Removal of chips
• Corrosion control

The significant factors that are crucial in selecting a cutting fluid are: 

• The type of machining process with regards to the intensity of cutting operations.
• Work-piece material concerning inherent properties of materials such as hardness, brittleness, etc.
• Cutting tool material and the nature of the metal. 

2. Knowing the material

Cutting fluids are required for almost all the activities involved in metal-working processes. Knowing the material composition or the inherent properties of the metal will assist you in determining the type of cutting fluid and examining the intensity of the material used. Generally, the metals that are hard to cut require cutting fluids that provide a better lubricating capability. 

3. Understanding machining parameters

The most crucial parameter while selecting a cutting fluid is considering the machining process that will be used. The more complex the machining process, the greater is the amount of cutting fluid needed.

The second parameter is the type of workpiece material used. For steel machining operations, high pressure and additive cutting fluids are used to avoid the potential wear and tear of the cutting tools. For machining heat resistance, resilient steel alloys and water-based cutting fluids are preferred as they are heat resistant.

The third parameter is determining the cutting oil in the composition of the cutting tool. All types of cutting fluids are suitable for high-speed steel cutting tools. For cutting tools made of tungsten carbide, cutting fluids with strong cooling properties are preferred as they are excessively prone to heat.

4. Identifying cutting fluid variants

Your cutting fluid selection can be classified into different categories: straight, semi-synthetic, soluble, and synthetic lubricants.

• Straight cooling fluids have a base of refined petroleum products and do not contain any water. They are also known as mineral oils and are used in medium-sized industries. Examples of straight oil are paraffin oil, naphthenic oil, vegetable oil, etc.
  
  
• Synthetic oils are oil-less solutions of polymers; various inorganic and organic additives are combined in water. They work efficiently at faster speeds and are suitable for lubrication, cooling, and limiting oxidation and smoke. These are water-based liquids.
  
  
• As the name suggests, they are a combination of synthetics and soluble fluids. They consist of natural and synthetic compound emulsifiers and offer better protection from corrosion, lubrication, and contamination.
  
  
• Soluble cutting oils are made by mixing mineral oil, water, and coupling agents. They have a significant proportion of mineral oils and contain certain additives to boost lubrication and prevent rusting and corrosion. Paraffin or naphthenic oils are used as additives.

To Wrap up

Cutting fluids are like oxygen to machines. Just as oxygen is necessary for the human body to perform various functions, a cutting fluid plays a vital role in the machining process.

Further, a cutting fluid shall have various vital properties such as: 

It should not foam easily. The foam should collapse even if it is generated due to soft water.It should be non-toxic and shall not lead to the emission of hazardous gases.It should also be odourless and refrain from releasing odours due to biological activities.It should be non-corrosive.

Considering all the characteristics of the ideal cutting fluid, Castrol is one of the best choices for you. Castrol's cutting fluid can extend the tool life of your equipment while reducing friction and improving the finishing of the product. Its efficient customer service and dedicated technical services team work tirelessly to guide its customers to the suitable fluid for their needs.