Maximize Fluid Performance with
Optimal Water Quality

A quality metalworking fluid is essential, however it accounts for less than 10 percent of the fluid used in machining processes. The other 90 percent is water. Unfortunately, water composition varies greatly, depending on the source.

Just as a team athlete's success often depends on the performance of others, the effectiveness of a metalworking fluid is enhanced or inhibited by the quality of water. Water may contain a myriad of chemicals and microorganisms capable of adversely affecting the ability of metalworking fluids to do their work.

Water composition largely depends on geographical location. Midwest locations must compensate for extremely hard water, while coastal areas, or areas in the South often work with extremely soft water. Soft water may inhibit the performance of metalworking fluids by promoting the formation of foam. Excess foam leads to a host of problems including inadequate wetting and coverage, which inhibits lubrication, cooling, and corrosion protection. Typical hard water problems include:

  • Emulsion Instability – reaction of metal ions in the water with the surfactant used in the fluids

  • Corrosion –may result on machines and components due to the neutralization of corrosion inhibitors by metal ions in the water.

  • Coolant Rancidity – salt residue can promote rancidity, which shortens coolant life and increases cost

  • Scum Residue – deposits and chalky residues on machine parts cause blockage and problems on coolant pipe and elsewhere.

Pure water is an ideal avoidance strategy for water quality problems, but may also be cost-prohibitive. Locally treated water is often acceptable for metalworking concentrate mixtures used in the initial charge. However, when fluids are recycled to promote efficiency and green initiatives, a quality problem may occur with make-up water.

As the importance of water quality becomes more widely recognized, effective water treatment solutions are becoming more available. The two most cost-efficient and widely used processes are deionization and reverse osmosis. Deionization removes minerals by passing the water through a mixed resin bed and reduces hardness levels to almost zero ppm. Reverse osmosis forces water through a semi-permeable membrane under high pressure and varying flow conditions, eliminating as much as 95 percent of dissolved minerals.

Water quality's impact on the effectiveness of metalworking fluids is all the more compelling in light of recent regulations regarding the treatment of wastewater. For objective advice on water quality issues related to metalworking processes, it's smart to talk with Acculube, an experienced supplier of metalworking fluids who can assist with ideas that will deliver the best machining results while minimizing machine downtime and other costs.

 

NEXT ESSAY

 

Talk with Us Today
Call the metalworking experts at Acculube - we'll help you get the most value
from every lubricant and other critical fluid you buy, and avoid the common pitfalls that can cost you money.
Contact Us: 1.800.404.2570 or email us at sales@acculube.com

 



Think Twice Before Changing
a Proven Brand of Lubricant
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How Do We Choose the Best Cutting Oil?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Monitoring and Controlling
Coolant Concentration
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Best Practices for Mixing
Water-Based Lubricants

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Metal Part Cleaning Basics
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Managing the Turnover
of Metalworking Fluids
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Particulates in Cutting Fluid -- A Fine Mess
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chips Off the Old Block
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reduce Foam: How to Prevent Foam in Oil
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Troubleshooting Tips for Machinists
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Smell: Lubricant Solutions
to Prevent Rancidity
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Irritant Contact Dermatitis: How to
Avoid This Common Shop Issue
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Why Does This Sump Smell?"
Coolant Sump Odor; What to Do
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thoroughly Clean Those Coolant Systems!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maximize Fluid Performance
with Optimal Water Quality

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Grease Compatibility Matters
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prevent Metal Corrosion
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Viscosity Grade Comparisons
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acculube Compatibility Chart
For Commercial Greases
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hydraulic System Maintenance
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintaining Gear Box Lubrication
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Why is a Breather Filter Important?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How Can Oil Leak Dye Pinpoint Leaks
and Save Money?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How Can Lubrication Best Practices
Reduce Your Environmental Footprint?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What Is MQL (Minimum Quantity Lubrication)
and How Can it Reduce Total Lubricant Costs?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Can a Lubrication Audit Show Us How to
Use Fewer Lubricants, and Save Costs?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to use a Grease Gun
to Lubricate Plain Bearings?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Why is Oil Testing Important for New Oil?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to Choose an Electric
Motor Bearing Grease

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Choosing the Best Water Solution for Your Machine Shop: Is it Reverse Osmosis? Deionized Water?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lubricant Contamination Control Helps Prevent Varnish Formation in Machine Shops
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selecting Diesel Engine Oil for Mixed Fleets
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“More Than List Price” How Evaluating Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil Can Add – or Subtract – From Your Bottom Line
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodbye, Tramp Oil
Tramp Oil Contamination Is Not Inevitable

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Don't Waylay Your Machine Tools with the Wrong Way Oil
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vibratory Finishing Basics
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Changing Attitude Toward
Basic Maintenance