The Do’s and Don’ts of Coolant Maintenance

Dear friends,

Every coolant manufacturer wants to sell you a metalworking fluid, but has anyone ever took the time and told you how to properly take care of it? Well today is your lucky day, because I’m going to tell you how. Basic coolant maintenance is actually pretty simple; but a few key points need to be followed regularly if you want to get the most out of your metalworking fluid. Here is what you want to do.

·         First - You want to make sure to mix your fluids properly. This is done by adding the coolant concentrate to the water, while stirring vigorously. Remember – the acronym O.I.L. or Oil In Last. Also when topping off or refilling you’re coolant sump, don’t just add straight water to the sumps. Always add a lean mix of coolant and water as this keeps the concentration steady and the additive packages up in the fluid.

·         Second - Concentration is the key. Make sure to keep the concentration at the proper level for the material you’ll be machining, and never let the concentration fall below the manufactures recommended minimum for any given length of time. If you don’t know what the proper coolant concentration should be for the material you’re machining, feel free to ask you fluid supplier for the ratio you need. Another critical piece of information fluid manufacturers neglect to tell customers is that some fluids have a refractive correction index, to compensate for the water and or various additives in the coolant concentrate. These multipliers should be stated on the Data Tech Sheet and also on the drum itself. This multiplier can range from 1.3 to 4.5 or higher. You multiply the refractometer reading by the given multiplier value, and that is your actual coolant concentration in the sump.

·         Third - Skim off tramp oils on a regular basis. I have found that Monday morning is an excellent time to skim off your sumps, since the fluid has rested over the weekend and has rejected out the free oils. If you don’t have this luxury and you’re machining around the clock, you may want to invest in disc or belt skimmers and or coolant coalescing equipment. Also you may want to consider looking at going to a sulfur-free way lube. Conoco/Phillips the manufacture of the Hydroclear TCS slide way lubricant line makes an excellent hydro cracked, sulfur-free way lube. Sulfur free means less odor (Monday morning stink) problems, cleaner machines and ultimately, happier employee’s.

If these three basic rules are followed, you can experience great success and longevity with your metalworking fluids, ignore them, and they can cost you dearly.

Stay tuned for more useful coolant tips, from The Coolant Guy!

Best regards,

Brett Reynolds, CMFS

Brett Reynolds, “The Coolant Guy” works for Blaser Swisslube Inc.

If you would like more useful information regarding metalworking fluids, or would like to find out more information about Blaser metalworking fluid products,

Please contact Brett at 801-722-4095 or via

E-mail at b.reynolds@blaser.com

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The Oil Baron Bulletin is not affiliated with Blaser Swisslube Inc. or its subsidiaries