Choosing the Right Additive for Metal Processing Oil, Taking a Step closer to Environmental Protection
June 05, 2023
If the lubricant industry holds an Oscar, the metal processing industry will definitely be nominated for the "Most Difficult Application Field Award". Because during metal processing, the pressure and temperature generated on the contact surface between the workpiece and the tool can reach up to 50000 psi (345 MPa) and 1650 ° F (900 ° C). In this extreme environment of high temperature and pressure, metal processing oil needs to play a very important role - forming a solid lubricating film between the workpiece and the tool, which greatly affects the quality of the finished product, the lifespan of the tool, and the productivity of the factory.
Metal processing oil cannot do without high concentration additives, such as the short chain chlorine element in chlorinated alkanes, which is a low-cost and efficient extreme pressure additive. For a long time, chlorine containing oily metal processing oil has been widely used in the industry due to its low cost and outstanding performance, but the use of this product is not without controversy. In Europe, the Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Licensing, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) states that "short chain chlorinated alkanes have carcinogenicity and toxicity to marine organisms"; In the United States, chlorinated waste is considered a hazardous substance, therefore its treatment cost is very expensive. So, what are the aspects of environmental pollution caused by chlorinated oily metal processing oils? Pollution of the factory environment: Chlorinated metal processing oil can shorten the activation time during high-speed operation, resulting in the generation of hydrogen chloride, causing corrosion problems and shortening the service life of cutting tools. If water comes into contact with chlorine, the degree of corrosion will further intensify. Pollution of the natural environment: Inadvertent use and handling of chlorinated metal processing products may have harmful effects on the environment, due to their low water solubility and ability to exist in the environment for a considerable period of time. Some states in the United States have implemented regulations on chlorinated metal processing oil that do not allow combustion or any recycling measures to reduce the risk of producing toxic gases. In order to reduce the harm of chlorinated metal processing oils to the environment, major lubricant manufacturers have continuously increased their research and development investment in chlorine free metal processing oils in recent years. To replace the position of chlorine in metal processing oils, chlorine free formulations need to establish strong synergistic effects between alternative additive chemicals in order to fully wet the metal surface and form an oil film with extreme pressure characteristics. Nowadays, metal processing oils made using new chlorine free additive technology have lighter colors and fewer odors, which can effectively reduce the impact on health and improve the working environment for machine tool operators; It can also reduce corrosion problems caused by chemical reactions, reduce the impact on the factory environment, reduce enterprise costs, and help enterprises increase production. At the same time, the use of chlorine free formula can also generate significant benefits in environmental protection and waste oil treatment. At present, chlorine containing pure oily metal processing oils only play a role in some niche metal processing applications, especially in the processing of extremely inert materials such as stainless steel. It is believed that they will gradually be replaced by chlorine free metal processing oils in the future.
