Coolants & Lubrication Systems

Cutting without metalworking fluid is looking increasingly attractive to U.S. shops hit with the high cost of fluid maintenance and disposal. This article discusses the benefits and drawbacks of dry machining and outlines the tools and equipment needed to machine successfully without the benefits of a coolant or lubricant.

Researchers tried bathing inserts in liquid nitrogen to keep them cool while cutting hard-to-machine materials. This article reports the results of this experiment. It shows how the use of cryogenic coolant can keep temperatures down and prolong tool life while machining titanium aluminum vanadium and reaction-bonded silicon nitride.

This is the first in a series of Articles on coolants. It provides a general review of the types of fluids available, their cooling and lubricating abilities and their ease of disposal. Criteria are offered for selecting the appropriate fluid for an operation.

The EPA's ban on ozone-depleting chemicals had an impact on the formulation of metalworking fluids containing 1,1,1 trichloroethane. This article looks at the reasons for the ban and the industry's efforts to find replacement substances for the banned chemicals.