Cutting oils is a kind of lubricant designed for metalworking and
machining processes that is used in metal machining to improve the
life, reduce the thermal deformation of the work-piece that improves
the surface finish.
Depending on the work-piece material, most of the metalworking and
machining processes can take an advantage of cutting fluids.
The application of cutting fluid keeps the work-piece at the normal
temperature and even maximise the life of the cutting tip.
The high performance cutting oil works best in super finishing
operations like honing and lapping.
Honing and lapping are the machining process in which two metal
surfaces are rubbed with an abrasion between them.
If you are looking for the cutting oil, it is important to be well
informed about its performance before approaching for it. To select
the best oil, you need to know the purpose and the metals on which
the oil has to be applied.
For the selection of suitable cutting oil, keep in mind some
essential ideas like:
Metal
Some of the metals demand high level of performance as compared to
machines. Stainless steel, exotic alloys and hard metals demand high
performance level. Besides, tough and low machinable metals need
cutting oils with extreme-pressure (EP) and anti-wield capability.
Cutting oil with lubricity additives, friction modifiers and mild EP
is suitable for brass, aluminium and carbon steels.
Machining Operations
Selection of the cutting oil also depends on the machining operations
like turning, forming, drilling and milling. The machining operations
are performed at higher speed and need high level of cooling with
only modest EP capability.
While the oils designed for tough machining process need to be high
in viscosity and loaded with EP additives like sulphur and chlorine.
Machine Types
The kind of the machines also affects the features of the cutting
oil. Take an example of screw machines that experience heavy cross
contamination between the lube oil and cutting oil. And the machines
like grinders need the cutting oil with low viscosity for high rate
of cooling.
Tooling Specifics
Where
you have to use some special tools, coatings and grinding abrasives
make sure that you have discussed with the cutting
oil suppliers. As
some of the additives may not work effectively with particular
coatings and the selection of the wrong grinding oil can create
technical issues.
Cutting oils are an important lubricant that contributes in the
performance of a machine. Choose it wisely while keeping these
essentials in mind.
