Lubricating and cooling liquids: characteristics and reviews

Without lubricants, the operation of most modern metal processing facilities is impossible. At the same time, the metal elements themselves, which are used in engineering, can not meet functional requirements without appropriate maintenance by special substances. To date, lubricating and cooling liquids (coolant) are on the market in more than 600 names. Among them, you can find tools for use in power units, for use in metalworking, as well as medical, insulating, form-separating, biological and anti-corrosion oils. The bulk of these fluids are used by industrial enterprises and the construction industry.

What is the use of cutting fluids?

Most often, lubricants are introduced into the working space between the rubbing elements in order to minimize wear in the mechanisms. Often this function is complemented by an increase in the efficiency. But this applies to traditional substances of this type, but cooling materials are also necessary to protect equipment and working elements from overheating. For example, cutting fluids for metalworking can optimize the temperature regime and relieve high pressure. Such compensation as a result not only allows to maintain the performance of carvers, but also to improve the characteristics of the products obtained. There are also specialized protective devices, in which the main emphasis is on providing anti-corrosion, insulation and sealing properties. This category of materials is most common in construction.

Composition of coolant

Any lubricant is produced by a special recipe. There are basic regulatory compositions, as well as modifications that are obtained in order to ensure special performance. Most often, the basis is a low-viscosity petroleum mixture. It produces lubricating and cooling liquids, the composition of which is also modified by chloroparaffin, zinc dialkyldithiophosphates, multi-ash calcium sulphonate and other additives. Such compounds are usually used in cutting heat-resistant alloys and stainless steel parts. A feature of the action of this composition is the prevention of adhering material to the tool. It is also common to use as a base a low-viscosity, deeply hydrogenated fraction of sulfuric oil. Working fluids on this basis are used in EDM machines of different power levels, in the implementation of finishing and turning operations on machine-assembly production lines.

Main characteristics of liquids

Characteristics of the appearance of such liquids vary significantly depending on the additives used. As a rule, it is a liquid-flowing mass of brown color, the shades of which can vary. From the point of view of the working function, density is one of the most important characteristics. The standard lubricating composition with the cooling effect has a density in the range of 1100 to 1200 kg / m ³ . However, this indicator can be varied in the manufacture of concentrate. Also, lubricating and cooling liquids in some formulations contain active ions. For 1% aqueous solution this value can be of the order of 10 pH. Manufacturers usually recommend using concentrated formulations with a coefficient of 1-3%. But depending on the location of the operation and the target material, this value can increase. So, to ensure the grinding function, it is recommended to use 4% concentrate, and for complex metalworking the index is increased to 7%.

Characteristics in terms of coolant supply

There are different methods of feeding, applying and distributing lubricant fluids along functional surfaces. Not all of them present special requirements to the lubricant in terms of physical properties, but in some cases they are important, since they determine the nature of interaction with the working medium. Ultimately, this affects the effectiveness of the function of the substance itself. For example, if a lubricating-cooling liquid is used for metalworking machines, then the speed of the jet supplied is the main thing. Accordingly, the lighter the components, the more effective will be the lubrication of the cutting element during operation. Also, the fraction of individual particles in the liquid composition is taken into account. At a high feed rate, they can adversely affect the properties of the surface, deforming it. In addition, machine operators should take into account the temperature of the jet and make a correction for possible adjustments to this value under certain operating conditions.

Technical and operational properties

The basic qualities relate to the provision of optimal lubricating and cooling properties. Also in some areas, high demands are placed on the detergent functions, which allows the surface of the parts to be cleaned in the process of the mechanism. To the additional qualities, which are given to modern cutting fluids, include bactericidal, ecological, hygienic, resistance to chemical influences and extreme temperatures. It is important to take into account that the lubricating components themselves give a considerable chemical effect on various materials, so when choosing a tool, it is necessary to compare the quality of the liquid with the target material.

Varieties of coolant

The main classification of lubricating fluids with cooling effect is based on the origin of the product. The most common are industrial oils, which are used in industry and production. Primarily these are oil fluids supplemented with modifiers. One of the popular varieties of such additives is also coarse-dispersed oil product emulsions, which are formed in an aqueous medium. Stable microemulsion types of lubricating-cooling liquids make it possible to form semisynthetic or synthetic compounds based on organic matter. Dissolved and low-boiling rapidly evaporating mixtures based on halogenated hydrocarbons with additives.

Application of coolant

The most common lubricants were obtained in the production of metal parts, as well as their processing. They not only protect the working equipment from premature wear, but also improve the quality of the manufactured products. The second place on the demand for such materials can be attributed to the field of construction. In this industry, the use of lubricating and cooling liquids is conditioned by the desire to provide protective qualities to building materials, insulation and decorative coatings.

Reviews of manufacturers

Among the largest producers of coolant are Proma, Univeco and Messer. The first brand became famous due to the production of effective means, which allow reliable processing of metals by cold and hot methods. Feedback from users of this liquid indicates that in the production process it is possible to minimize the rejection rates, increase productivity and increase the accuracy of processing. At the present level, the production of lubricating and cooling liquids of Univeco is also established. This group of mixtures is made on the basis of corrosion inhibitors and activated aqueous media, which is especially appreciated by consumers in the construction sector. As for the Messer brand, its products are often used in high-precision processing operations. To the merits of such liquids, users attribute high anticorrosive properties, resistance to microbubbing, and also ecological purity.

Conclusion

Modern technologies of processing of metal parts gradually depart from traditional mechanical methods of influence. Against this background, the consumption of protective and stability-enhancing equipment decreases. Nevertheless, there remain industries where lubricating-cooling liquids remain relevant. This is primarily construction, engineering, medicine and electrical engineering. Another thing is that in highly specialized areas, more and more advanced materials are required for their technical and operational properties, requiring the use of high-tech additives and modifiers.