What is cutting oil?
Cutting oil is a specialized lubricant used in machining and metalworking processes. It serves multiple purposes, including reducing friction between the cutting tool and workpiece, dissipating heat generated during machining, and facilitating the removal of metal chips or swarf. Cutting oil formulations represent a critical domain in the field of metalworking fluids, significantly impacting the efficiency and quality of machining processes.
What are the types of cutting oil?
- Straight Oils/ Neat Oil: These are based on mineral oils formulated with performance boosters like lubricity additive, EP Additives, mist controllers etc. These oils undiluted cutting oils and are often used for heavy-duty cutting operations.
- Soluble Oils: These are oil emulsions & effectively used with water dilutions according to the application & its use. They are versatile and suitable for various machining processes. Contains around 80 to 70 % mineral oil with bled of emulsifiers.
- Semi-Synthetic Oils: A blend of mineral oils, emulsifiers , speciality additives offering improved performance compared to straight oils and better cooling than soluble oils. Depend upon formulators choice contain 30 to 50 % mineral oils.
- Synthetic Oils: Entirely synthetic, these cutting oils provide excellent lubrication, cooling, and are often chosen for high-speed machining operation. These are absolute free from mineral oils
Components of Cutting Oil Formulations
- Base oils- Paraffinic, Naphthenic Base oils
- Surfactants / Direct Packages
- Rust Inhibitors
- Corrosion Additives
- Anti-Staining Agent
- Biocides
- Mist Control Agents
- Lubricity Improvers
- EP Additives
- PH Buffer
- Anti-Foam Agents
- Neutralising Agents
- Stabilisers
Cutting Oil Formulations
Every formulator has his own understanding regarding so cutting oil formulations vary from formulator to formulator. Cutting oil formulations also vary based on the application, its use, cost & expected performance by customer. Cutting oils formulation also vary on its type so contains also vary based on soluble oil, semi synthetic & synthetic. Cutting oil formulations also vary based on the type of metal it has to be used, operations has to be performed, accuracy of machining
Neat Oil / Straight Formulation;
These cutting oil formulations are free from water & especially designed for heavy duty applications & for sensitive materials, specialised oils. Every cutting oil formulation differs based on the formulator’s conviction & his experienced with certain types of formulations & its historical results.
- Base oil -75 to 80
- Lubricity Additive/ EP Additive/ CP/ LO - 10 to 15
- Mist Control -5 to 8
- Anti-Oxidant 5 to 7
- Viscosity Stabilisers: 5 to 10
Soluble Oil Formulations
These cutting oil formulations are designed to be used with water dilution. So many material vary from application to application, quality of water, hardness of water, operations to be carried out.
- Base Oil – 70 to 80
- RTMP -25 to 15
Or
- Base Oils – 70 to 80
- EP – 20 to 15 (Vary on type & % base oil )
- Biocides-0.5 to 1 %
- Anti-Foam Agents- 1 to 2 %
- MCA- 2 to 3 %
- FM- 5 to 8 %
Cutting oil is manufacturing process
The manufacturing process of cutting oils involves a precise blending of base oils and additives. This process demands a keen understanding of the chemical compatibility and synergies between various components. Emphasis is placed on achieving a homogenous mixture to ensure uniform distribution of additives in the final product.