Metal Working fluids (MWFs) are the products designed to offer cooling, lubricate & protect the metal surfaces during machining and other metalworking processes. MWFs can be classified into two main types: neat oils and water-miscible fluids (WMFs).

Oil Base MWF:  Straight Oils, Neat oils are metal working formulations based on  are mineral oils or synthetic lubricants that are used without water dilution. They are typically used for heavy-duty machining operations, such as turning and milling. Neat oils provide excellent lubrication, but they can be messy and difficult to dispose of.
Water Based WMFs:  These metalworking formulations are  based on  emulsions of oil and water. They are safer to use than neat oils and are easier to clean up. WMFs are available in a variety of concentrations, depending on the specific application.

Types of metalworking formulations

MWFs can be further classified into different types based on their application and use. Some common types of MWFs include:

• Cutting oils: Used for machining operations, such as turning, milling, and drilling.
• Grinding fluids: Used for grinding operations, such as surface grinding and cylindrical grinding.
• Honing oils:  Used for honing operations, which are used to improve the surface finish of metal parts.
• Quenching oils: Used to cool and harden metal parts after heat treatment.
• Drawing fluids: Used to reduce friction and wear during metal drawing operations.
• Corrosion inhibitors: Used to protect metal surfaces from corrosion.

Technical information regarding metalworking formulations

MWFs are typically formulated using a variety of base oils, additives, and surfactants. The specific materials, additives used in a metal working formulation will depend on the intended application, customer’s specific need, and compositions of the metal.  

Base oils are the primary component of metalworking formulations of semi synthetic, water based MWFs. They provide lubrication and cooling. Common base oils used in metalworking formulations include mineral oils, synthetic esters.

To improve the performance of these fluids speciality additives are used in metal working formulations.

EP Additives used in metalworking formulations offer excellent performance in heavy duty metal working operations. Corrosion inhibitors used in metal working formulation offer protection against the corrosion, metal staining & neutralise the formed acids when used in operations .Lubricity improvers  are added in metal working formulations so it will improve the quality of surface finish.  shelf life & offer extended  sump life when used with water dilution.  

In metal working formulations surfactants are used to emulsify the base oils  and water.  Formulations based on application and use

Common other additives includes used in metal working formulations are biocides, friction modifiers, mist control agents, PH buffer.

Here are some examples of metalworking formulations based on application and use:

Grinding fluid for grinding hardened steel: This metal working formulation would typically contain synthetic ester base oil, a friction modifier, and a corrosion inhibitor.

Honing oil for honing cast iron: This metalworking formulation would typically contain a PAO oil base oil, an AW additive, and a corrosion inhibitor.

Drawing fluid for deep drawing steel: This metal working formulation would typically contain a vegetable oil base oil, an EP additive, and an AW additive.

Neat oil for heavy duty machining: This metal working formulation would typically contain a mineral oil base oil, an EP additive, an AW additive, and a corrosion inhibitor.

Soluble cutting Oil for light machining: This metal working formulation contain a mineral base oil, surfactant, rust inhibitors,

Heavy Duty cutting oil: This MWF contain EP additives, Friction modifiers & corrosion inhibitors, mist control agents

Semi Synthetic: These metal working fluid formulations contain 30 to 40 % mineral oil along with surfactants & other additives based on the applications & end use

Synthetic/ Pure Synthetic: These metal working formulations does not contain mineral oils. Among all types of metal working these offer high performance among all other types of formulations. These metal working formulations are very complex & difficult to make & design.

It is important to note that these are just examples. The specific formulation used for a particular application will depend on the specific requirements of that application.