Fluid maintenance improves the life and performance of metalworking fluids
January 30, 2023
By Ashburn for the Blue Print
By Ashburn for the Blue Print
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Fluid management can be time consuming work but it’s a critical preventive maintenance practice. Lack of fluid maintenance can quickly lead to operator dissatisfaction due to rancidity and skin irritation. Increased cooling usage, costs, and severe production inefficiencies often arise due to poor fluid maintenance.
First, the importance of monitoring coolant concentration can’t be stressed enough.Concentrations that are too strong can lead to skin irritation, foaming, residue, and increased costs. Concentrations that are too low can cause rancidity, foul odor, rusting, poor tool life, and more.
Measure your coolant concentration regularly with a refractometer and adjust if necessary. When adjusting concentration, premix the coolant concentrate with water using the O.I.L. rule - Oil In Last. This ensures that the coolant emulsion will remain stable when added to the sump. Second, check and adjust the pH of fluids.A fluid’s pH level is a strong indicator of its condition. Metalworking fluids are formulated to operate within a specific pH range. Many problems can occur when the pH slips out of that range – emulsion stability, dermatitis, bacterial and fungal growth, and corrosion problems can often be caused by a fluid’s pH being out of range. Regularly test your fluid solution’s pH with a pH test strip or a pH meter to ensure it stays within the recommended range.
Finally, skimming off tramp oil is especially important.The presence of tramp oil is a common performance inhibitor. Tramp oils come from way lubricants, hydraulic oil leaks, and oils and dirt that are carried in by the work product. Tramp oils carry contaminants that can destabilize the coolant’s emulsion. They can also provide ideal conditions for bacteria to grow and cause rancidity. Skimming tramp oil regularly using oil wheels, skimmers, absorbent pads, or shop vacs will help you prevent these problems.
Many manufacturers trust Ashburn to protect their production and productivity through our fluid maintenance, recycling, and optimization services. Their full-service custom fluid maintenance programs optimize coolant performance, lower coolant usage costs, increase fluid and tool life, and decrease unplanned production interruptions to keep your production environment running smoothly. If you need help troubleshooting fluid problems or want more information about how to improve fluid and tool life, contact an Ashburn metalworking specialist. Start protecting your production today.
Content originally from Ashburn. Reused here with permission. Vertical Divider
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