Lubricants, Coolants, Metalworking Fluids

This category includes substances used in the metalworking process to lubricate, cool, and facilitate the cutting process. Lubricants are used at the interface between a tool’s cutting edge and the chip, preventing the chip from being welded to the tool. Liquid coolants are used to remove significant amounts of heat generated by heavy cutting over long periods of time. Liquid coolants are often delivered via through-spindle coolant systems, which route coolant through an internal passage inside the spindle and directly to the cutting interface. Metalworking fluids are used to keep the environment around a workpiece at a stable temperature. Metalworking fluids can include straight oil (fluid made mostly of mineral or vegetable oils), soluble oil (emulsifiable oil made up from 30-85 percent refined lubricant base oil and emulsifiers), semisynthetic fluids (fluids containing a lower amount of severely refined base oil), and full synthetic fluids (formulations that do not include petroleum).