Select right neat cutting oils to optimise machining process

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What are neat cutting oils?

Neat cutting oils consist of mineral oils and additives and are used for cutting without dilution as supplied by the manufacturer. Neat-cutting oils have superior lubrication properties as compared to water-soluble cutting oils.

Cutting oil requirements depending on the type of machining

Machining is an intricate industrial process where various operations are carried out in a predetermined order to give raw materials the desired shape. Machining is also extremely demanding and requires various metal-working fluids to guarantee a high-quality end product. Neat-cutting fluids or oils are the coolants required for metalworking processes such as cutting and stamping. Cutting oil lubricates and protects cutting surfaces and bearings to ensure maximum efficiency. Your cutting fluid selection is crucial in improving the machining process efficiency. By selecting the most suitable cutting fluids for your operation, manufacturers can extend their cutting tools' life and lower the production cost.

Thorough research is required before selecting a suitable neat-cutting oil to get the most out of your investment. This blog explains everything you need to know about cutting oil to maximise your machining efficiency.
Effective cutting oil should:

1. Reduce metal-to-metal contact

The cutting tool is positioned against the surface of the workpiece while cutting the metal. The workpiece and the tool both come into contact, which causes friction. Cutting fluid reduces this motion, allowing for more efficient machine operation. Cutting may overheat the machine's surface, which could result in early component wear. A good cutting oil also minimises the heat produced by friction, prolonging tool life.

2. Chip removal

While machining metal, there is chip formation near the workpiece. Excessive chip formation damages the machining tool, reduces surface finish, and prevents your machine from cutting correctly. A cutting fluid's formulation includes solvents that dissolve the formed chips and water to prevent the chips from clumping together.

3. Reduce energy consumption

Using the proper cutting fluid in your workplace can significantly reduce energy expenditures. The decrease in corrosion rate and the film layer produced between the tool and the workpiece reduces the energy required for machining the metal. The tool's wear rate follows a constant pattern and predictable pattern. As a result, you can take proactive measures to replace a tool once it nears its end.

4. Pressure reduction

Extreme additives are utilised in the formulation of cutting oils to absorb the cutting force and lower the pressure of the cutting tool. The additives provide an extra layer of lubricating film on the surface of the workpiece. This makes cutting fluid distribution easier.

5. Heat removal

The primary objective of cutting fluid is heat reduction. The cutting fluid cools the workpiece and cutting tool. As the fluid travels over them while cutting, conduction conducts heat away. Removing the heat by reducing thermal stress and thermal expansion increases job dimension accuracy.

6. Corrosion protection

Cast iron, stainless steel, wrought iron, and other ferrous metals are protected against corrosion during machining using a suitable oil with the proper pH level. A pH range of 8.8 to 9.6 is ideal for minimising the risk of corrosion. To prevent maintenance problems for your machinery, the cutting fluid shouldn't be very acidic or alkaline. Extremely acidic cutting fluids can also degrade the machine's elastomers.

Cutting oil selection

The most important parameter while selecting a cutting fluid is the machining process it is used for. The amount of cutting fluid and the required cutting fluid properties depend on the machining process's complexity.
Simple machining operations like grinding, saw cutting, and turning demand less cutting fluid. Heavy operations like gear production, broaching, and screwing require heavy cutting oils with additional properties to increase machining efficiency.
A thorough understanding of your machining process lubrication requirements is required before selecting a type of neat cutting oil.

Conclusion

Cutting oils are crucial for machining processes. However, if the wrong fluid is utilised, the cutting tools and machining components can experience significant damage. It may further jeopardise the metalwork's effectiveness.Castrol is the global leader in liquid engineering. We provide a comprehensive range of cutting oils for all industrial sectors that address every requirement. Our metalworking fluids are proven to improve machining efficiency and manufacturing processes while prolonging machine life.