Production Machining

DEC 2016

Production Machining - Your access to the precision machining industrial buyer.

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TECH BRIEF 30 PRODUCTION MACHINING :: DECEMBER 2016 cost-intensive. Any improvements to fluid management have the potential to make a difference to the bottom line. The Boric Acid Effect Traditionally, microbial degeneration has been kept in check by use of boron or by formaldehyde-releasing agents. Boron extends cutting fluid life by slowing the development of bacteria, allowing the fluid to be more inherently stable. It is also an excellent corrosion inhibitor. However, the presence of boron produces boric acid, which is a poison. erefore, organizations such as the European Commission have ruled that metalworking fluids with a boric acid concentration equal to or more than 5.5 percent must be labeled and treated as hazardous substances. Formaldehyde-releasing agents also need to be treated with caution, as they, too, have become the focus of health and safety regulations. A 'Step Change' in Technology Castrol researchers have been focusing on the problems generated by traditional bacterial and fungal contamination controls for the past five years. e result is a "step change" in fluid technology, which the company says has allowed the development of a technique to help stop microbial degradation. e company says its new Hysol SL 35 XBB and Alusol SL 51 XBB are boron-free, mostly eliminating the need for expensive additives. XBB products have been formulated with a long-lasting buffer that is more resistant to changes in acidity and is inherently more resistant to bacterial growth, according to Dr. Rudi Jenner, global product manager for cutting fluids at Castrol. Banishing the Bugs e technology behind the fluids uses a dual-action chemical buffer to reduce changes in the fluid's acidity (pH value). "By keeping the pH where it should be for longer and delivering resistance to bacterial growth, we can extend oil life and reduce the need for intervention," Dr. Jenner says. "ese Alusol and Hysol fluids remain stable over a range of water hardness (100 to 800 ppm CaCO 3 ) and may therefore eliminate the need for demineralized water," he says. Longer for Less Castrol says by cutting the amount of additives needed and by extending the intervals between maintenance interven- tions, XBB technology really does mean operations can run longer, for less. "ey can remain effective for longer than conventional machining fluids, because the formulations are inherently more resistant to changes in pH due to microbiological breakdown," Dr. Jenner says. He says this has been proven in lab tests and seen in real production conditions. "But, equally important, the staff will enjoy improved working conditions, and the fluids also comply with current and foreseeable health and safety requirements that limit the use of boron and formaldehyde biocides." ese cutting fluid advancements translate to signifi- cant improvements for controlling manufacturing costs, increasing productivity and protecting the quality of end products, according to Dr. Jenner. For additional information from Castrol Industrial Inc., visit castrol.com. B LO G Production Machining has a blog! Check out Production Machining's blog for up-to-the-minute industry news and information on new products and events! productionmachining.com

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