EuroWire November 2022

Technology News

Metalworking fluids for the 21 st century Shortages of the essential raw materials used in the manufacture of finished lubricant products, such as gear oils, have caused disruption in the lubricant industry, with price increases and diffi- culty for businesses sourcing products. air quality in factories and workshops and protect workers’ physical health by reducing exposure to potential allergens, changing the industry’s approach to metalworking fluids.

the Folia range of water-based MWFs. The business has been a distributor for Total Energies since 2001 and welcomed the opportunity to distribute a product that not only is more environmentally friendly but also adds to the performance and longevity of tools. Lubrication Ltd and Total Energies showcased Folia at MACH 2022 in April 2022. The goal of the HSE is to reduce emission of fumes from machine tools during cutting operations. This can in part be achieved by the fitting of local exhaust ventilation (LEV), but ideally the way forward is reducing the production of fumes in the first place. Omission of mineral oils in formulations directly reduces fumes and the growth of micro-organisms. Water has roughly three times the heat capacity of steel and other metals. Lubrication Ltd www.lubrication.net

Formaldehyde-donating biocides (FDBs) have been outlawed in the last decade, as have secondary amines. The use of boron in some formulations remains, but this is the next product that will be reduced due to health hazards. Higher oil content in MWFs means that the higher emulsifier content leads to higher levels of bacteria and airborne smoke. Bacteria decompose in emulsifiers, impacting the stability and effectiveness of the product. Mineral oil content in these products, while cheap, is being reduced and replaced with lubricity additives such as esters, which protect tools from wear, improving cutting performance. Three years ago, Lubrication Ltd was approached by Total Energies to launch

Rather than remaining loyal to a brand, customers are forced to take what is readily available. Oil companies promise more explora- tion, and fewer refinery closures are announced, as the price of crude oil remains high. The agenda of fuel and energy efficiency has strengthened the development of greener fuels. The Metalworking Fluids Global Market Report 2021: Covid-19 Growth and Change (2021) highlights the way businesses have responded since the pandemic, contributing to a predicted CAGR of 5.1 per cent by 2025. The report also captures the evolving metalworking fluids (MWFs) market with new product designs and applications. There are recent efforts by the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to improve

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November 2022