APPLICATIONS

Talking about the history of metal processing is essentially recounting the scientific evolution of modern human history.

From early manual polishing to later CNC machining with five-axis capabilities, and now automated control by robotic arms, the precision of machining has undoubtedly improved. The protection of cutting tools and the choice of coolant (cutting fluid) have become crucial.

What is water-soluble cutting oil, also known as water-miscible cutting fluid?

As the name suggests, water-soluble implies that it needs to be diluted with water according to a certain ratio. It mainly falls into three categories:

1. Emulsion type containing mineral oil
2. Semi-synthetic type
3. Fully synthetic type without any mineral oil

Each type is composed of base oil and additives. The higher the mineral oil content, the better the lubrication. Fully synthetic cutting fluids do not contain mineral oil, do not produce gases during usage, are less prone to deterioration, and do not exhibit oil-water separation. They are also suitable for processing more advanced materials.

Neat cutting oil?

Oil-based machining involves the use of pure oil-type cutting oil. It has been used since the early days of light machining and is now suitable for heavy cutting as well. It consists of base oil and additives that are insoluble in water. It is directly added to the machine’s water tank for cutting, without the need for dilution. Additives in oil-based cutting oils can be classified into active sulfur and inactive sulfur. Additives with active sulfur can corrode non-ferrous metals (brass, copper, aluminum), so special attention is needed.

The major pros and cons of sulfurized and environmentally friendly machining oils are as follows:

Sulfurized Machining Oil:
– Pros: Good cutting performance, lower cost.
– Cons: Difficult to recycle and environmentally friendly, may have adverse environmental effects.

Environmentally Friendly Machining Oil:
– Pros: Environmentally friendly, recyclable, and more human-friendly.
– Cons: May have poorer cutting performance in certain situations, higher cost.

The choice between these two types of cutting fluids needs to consider factors like environmental impact, cost, and machining performance to achieve the most optimal outcome.