Most engineering firms have at one time experienced their own version of “THAT
MONDAY MORNING FEELING” – foul smelling cutting fluid emulsions and solutions
that have been sitting in metalworking machinery over the weekend.
Strangely, many companies accept this as an occupational hazard and continue to
work with deteriorating fluids until there is a danger of effecting the workpiece, staff
and even equipment. The only solution left then seems to be to dispose of the
coolant.
Obviously production engineers are not meant to be micro-biologists, but production
staff should be aware that some of their machining problems and production costs
could be caused by the ineffective condition of metalworking fluid,
Good housekeeping in machines and water storage systems is an essential part of
extending the life of cutting fluids and reducing replacement costs.
Formulators of metalworking fluid concentrates use preservatives or biocides at
manufacture stage, but as soon as these fluids are diluted for use, degradation
begins. Even the modern so-called bio-stable synthetic coolants are subject to
degradation.
While Oiltech Australia markets an excellent range of bio-stable synthetic coolants,
our product range also includes the TECHBAN biocidal protection system. This is a
proven treatment, which entails the use of TECHBANOL SR1 as system cleaner and
TECHBAN BK as preservative. These formulations usually achieve control.
Sometimes, however, if resilient yeasts and moulds are present it may be necessary
to treat the system with SODIUM OMADINE (trademark Olin Chemicals and
marketed by Oiltech Australia) to quickly overcome the fungal problem. Enhanced
preservation performance can be expected when TECHBAN BK and SODIUM
OMADINE are used in tandem.
In short, biocide protection of cutting fluids extends coolant life, lowers cleaning and
disposal costs, increases tool life, improves machine finish and reduces pungent
odours from polluted fluids. Most importantly, in today’s economic situation the
addition of a proven biocide to industrial coolant systems cuts costs.
A free easy to use, biotest kit is available from Oiltech for those organisations wishing
to check the quality of coolant systems. Comprehensive microbiological laboratory
backup is provided for all these biocide products.