Coolants

PROBLEMS

CAUSES

SOLUTIONS

CORROSION Too Weak Concentration Adjust and maintain concentration at recommended.
Poor Water Quality / Corrosive Ion Buildup From Water Use better water quality
High Temperature / Humidity Reduce temperature and humidity and/or use a rust preventive on finished parts
Contamination Identify and eliminate contaminants that promote corrosion, such as heat treating salts, floor cleaners, etc.
Corrosive atmosphere Identify and vent corrosive fumes out of problem area.
Part Handling / Storage Use clean, plastic dividers to allow parts to dry and remain separate. For extended storage, use a rust preventive on finished parts.
FOAM Too Strong Concentration Adjust and maintain concentration at recommended
Contamination Identify and eliminate contaminants that promote foam, such floor cleaners, phosphate parts cleaner, etc.
Water Quality Soft water (less than 100 ppm Total Hardness) can promote foam in some metalworking fluids
Type of operation Some operations, such as surface grinding, can promote foam. Operations need to be considered when selecting a metalworking fluids
Fluid Level Low Keep the sump full in order to maximize fluid retention time in sump and allow the air to come out of the mix
Mechanical Problems Check the filtration system, fluid delivery, and fluid return systems for mechanical problems and repair any found
MIX INSTABILITY Too Weak Concentration Adjust and maintain concentration at recommended
Contamination Identify and eliminate/ minimize contaminants that promote mix instability, such as tramp oils, floor cleaners, etc.
Water Quality Hard water (greater than 200 ppm Total Hardness) can promote mix instability
POOR SURFACE FINISH Too Weak Concentration Adjust and maintain concentration at recommended
Water Quality Hard water (greater than 200 ppm Total Hardness) can promote mix instability in metalworking fluids and lead to poor surface finish
Mix Instability When mixes become unstable, the lubricants can be preferentially depleted and lead to loss of tool/wheel life. Refer to Mix Instability Troubleshooting Guide
Wrong Tool/Wheel for the Operation or Material or Wrong Process Parameters Check for correct tool
Change in Material Check material to see if it has changed
POOR TOOL/WHEEL LIFE Too Weak Concentration Adjust and maintain concentration at recommended
Contamination Identify and eliminate/ minimize contaminants that promote loss of tool/wheel life, such as high levels of tramp oils, floor cleaners, etc.
Water Quality Hard water (greater than 200 ppm Total Hardness) can promote mix instability in metalworking fluids and lead to loss of tool/wheel life
Mix Instability When mixes become unstable, the lubricants can be preferentially depleted and lead to loss of tool/wheel life. Refer to Mix Instability Troubleshooting Guide
Wrong Tool/Wheel for the Operation or Material or Wrong Process Parameters Check for correct tool
Change in Material Check material to see if it has changed
RANCIDITY Too Weak Concentration Adjust and maintain concentration at recommended
Tramp Oil Tramp oil can promote microbial growth. Maintain the machines and assorted items so as to minimize/eliminate tramp oil contamination
Remove tramp oil daily from mix
Contamination Identify and eliminate contaminants that promote microbial growth, such floor cleaners, phosphated parts cleaner, etc.
Fluid circulation Keep the mix circulating
Significant Bacteria Or Mold Growth Treat the mix with the recommended anti-microbial agent.
RESIDUE Too Strong Or Weak Concentration Adjust and maintain concentration at recommended
Contamination Identify and eliminate/ minimize contaminants that promote residue, such as tramp oils, floor cleaners, etc.
Water Quality Hard water (greater than 200 ppm Total Hardness) can promote residue in metalworking fluids
Type of Operation Some operations, such as turning centers, can promote residue in low flow/splatter areas. Wash down these areas with the metalworking fluid daily