MWF’s are the name given to a range of water-based liquids that are used to cool and/or lubricate metal workpieces during machining and grinding processes. MWF’s are complex chemical formulations that can be either mineral oil containing or synthetic, without mineral oil, and can be made up of more than 30 different raw materials (chemical building blocks). MWF’s are produced in a concentrated form and are diluted with water before being used. MWF’s are commonly called machining coolant(s) and have the following main functions:

• Reducing and transferring the heat that is produced in the machining and grinding process away from the working surface
• Provides lubrication to reduces friction between the tool and the workpiece
• Flushes away metal fines (swarf) from the work area
• Provides corrosion protection

Three factors determine the type of MWF that is needed:

• Type of material being machined
• Operation that is being performed
• Water used (soft, medium or hard water)

Materials (mostly metals) require varying amounts of lubrication which is determined by the metal’s structure and hardness. The operation being performed also plays a major role in the amount of lubrication and cooling that is required. Therefore, MWF’s can be divided into three distinctive categories.

• Emulsions – Oil based products that consist of more than 50% mineral oil in the concentrate. Emulsions are mainly used for specialised operations and on difficult to machine materials.
• Semi-synthetic MWF – these are the most common type and consist of less than 50% mineral oil in the concentrate.
• Synthetic MWF – these products contain no mineral oil

During the machining process, the MWF is sprayed over the work area. MWF collects in a tank at the bottom of the machine. The MWF is filtered and pumped back to the work area and this process is repeated many times. Due to their complicated nature and the number of other factors involved in the machining and grinding process MWF’s need to be monitored, maintained and adjusted continuously to ensure their effective operation. 

CSI is the supplier of Quaker Houghton (QH) MWF to the Southern African market. QH has a rich history in the manufacturing and supply of MWF and are currently the largest MWF supplier globally. As a market leader in the supply of MWF QH allocates a large portion of their resources into the field of research and development to ensure that their products provide efficient and cost effective solutions while minimising their impact on the environment.