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Choosing the Right Cutting Fluid for Your Machining Process
If you work with metal, you know just how critical cutting fluid is to the success of your machining processes. Cutting fluid can help improve your tool life, enhance surface finishes, and prevent workpiece damage. That’s why it’s crucial to choose the right cutting fluids for every specific project you take on. Learn your way around factors like materials and working conditions with this guide to choosing the right cutting fluid for your machining process.
Know That Materials Matter
Different cutting fluids are designed for specific materials, so before you select a cutting fluid, you need to determine the material of the workpiece you are cutting. Metals that are easy to work with, such as aluminum, cast iron, and copper, don’t need as much lubrication as harder metals like stainless steel or high-speed steel alloys.
Lubrication isn’t the only thing to consider, though. You also need to factor in the amount of debris the material creates during the cutting process. Metals like cast iron and copper alloys form a lot of metal chips, so they need a cutting fluid with better cleaning properties to prevent those chips from sticking to the workpiece or the cutting tools.
Consider the Machining Operations
Different machining operations require different cutting fluids. For instance, high-speed machining requires low-viscosity cutting fluid to reduce heat and prevent chip melting. Conversely, heavy-duty machining may require a high-viscosity cutting fluid that can handle extreme pressure and heat generated by the cutting tool. When choosing the right cutting fluid for your machining process, consider the air temperature, coolant pressure, and flow rate of your operations. This will help you find the option that offers the best balance of lubrication, cooling, and chip removal.
Understand the Environmental Impact
It is essential to consider the environmental impact when choosing a cutting fluid. Many cutting fluids contain hazardous chemicals that can cause environmental harm and pose a health risk to metalworkers if they aren’t handled properly. Make sure you have best practices for storage, handling, and disposal in place before you purchase these kinds of liquids. You can also choose synthetic or water-soluble cutting fluids as an alternative since they are free of harmful chemicals. Additionally, using cutting fluids with low VOC emissions can create a safer work environment for metalworkers while reducing the impact on the environment.
TMT Toolbox makes it easy to find the right metal cutting oil for your machine shop. Explore our extensive range of metal cutting fluids and lubricants when you visit us online today.