Glossary

Metalworking Fluids

• Metalworking Fluid (MWFs): Liquids used during machining and metal fabrication processes to cool, lubricate, and remove chips. Includes cutting fluids, grinding fluids, and more.
• Water-Soluble Coolant: Fluids designed to dissipate heat generated during machining processes and provide lubricity. Often oil-based and are to be diluted with water for optimal performance.
• Cutting Fluid: Fluids applied during metal cutting operations to reduce friction, improve tool life, and enhance surface finish.
• Grinding Fluids: Specialized lubricants used during grinding to cool the tool and workpiece and prevent overheating.
• Drawing Fluid: A type of metalworking fluid used in metal forming processes like deep drawing, stamping, perforating, etc. to reduce friction and facilitate the shaping of metal.
• Dielectric Fluid: An electrically insulating fluid used in applications like electrical discharge machining (EDM) to prevent short circuits and flush away debris.
• Quenching Oil: An oil used to rapidly cool metal parts during heat treatment processes to achieve desired hardness and metallurgical properties.
• Straight Oils: Petroleum or synthetic-based oils used as lubricants without dilution, offering excellent lubricity.
• Soluble Oils: Oil concentrate that emulsifies with water to form a milky mixture used as a coolant/lubricant.
• Semi-Synthetic Fluids: Blends of oil and synthetic components diluted in water to provide cooling and lubricity.
• Synthetic Fluids: Fully water-soluble, oil-free fluids providing excellent cooling and cleanliness.
• Rust Preventatives: Fluids or coatings used to protect metal surfaces and parts from corrosion and rust.
• MWF Lubricity: The ability of a lubricant to reduce friction between moving surfaces.
• MWF Viscosity: A measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow.
• Corrosion: The degradation of a material, usually a metal, due to a chemical reaction with its environment, often resulting in rust on iron and steel.
• Oxidation: A chemical reaction involving the loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state, often resulting in the formation of oxides on metal surfaces.

Industrial Lubricants

• Hydraulic Oil: A non-compressible fluid used in hydraulic systems to transmit power and lubricate components like pumps, valves, and cylinders.
• Gear Oil: A lubricant specifically formulated for use in gearboxes and transmissions to reduce friction and wear between gears.
• Way Oil/Waylube: A lubricant designed for the slideways or “ways” of machine tools, providing smooth movement and preventing stick-slip.
• Rust & Oxidation (R&O) Oil: A type of industrial lubricant containing additives to inhibit rust and oxidation of metal surfaces.
• Lubricant Viscosity: A measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow. Key characteristic in selecting the right lubricant.
• Flash Point: The lowest temperature at which a lubricant emits enough vapor to ignite in air.
• Compatibility Charts: Tools used to determine which lubricants or greases can be mixed or used together safely. Also found in OEM manuals that provide lubricant recommendations.

Greases & Specialty Products

• Grease: A semisolid lubricant used where liquid lubricants are impractical. Commonly used in bearings, gears, and sliding mechanisms.
• Biodegradable Lubricant: Environmentally friendly fluids that break down naturally, minimizing environmental impact.
• Specialty Lubricants: Custom-formulated lubricants for unique or extreme operating conditions such as high temperature, load, or speed. Many specialty lubricants are industry or sector specific.
• Industrial Cleaner: Chemical agents designed to remove grease, grime, and contaminants from machinery or surfaces.

Fluid Management & Support

• Industrial Fluid Management Services: Services including fluid supply, monitoring, analysis, maintenance, and disposal to optimize machine performance.
• Sample Testing: Lab analysis of used fluids to detect contamination, wear metals, or degradation. Also used to determine best method of disposal.
• Additive Boosting: Enhancing a fluid’s performance by supplementing with specific additives without replacing the entire volume.
• Chemical Additives: Compounds added to fluids to enhance specific properties like corrosion inhibition, foam control, or bacterial resistance.
• Disposal Services: Safe and compliant removal of used oils, greases, and other industrial fluids.
• Absorbent: A material designed to soak up liquids, such as oil or chemical spills, for containment and disposal.