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Technical Bulletins

Our technical bulletin series provides concise descriptions of metalworking issues, step-by-step guidelines to provide solutions to these issues, and practical information that will help you better understand the role of metalworking fluid in your shop.

We actively solicit your input on improving our Technical Bulletins and what other subjects we should cover. If you have questions, suggestions, or just want to tell us what you think, drop us a line at [email protected].

Number of documents found: 33

Background on Bacteria and Fungus in Metalworking Fluids

Are you battling with Monday morning stink and dark stains on machinery? Find a solutions by reading our tips on fighting bacterial growth and avoid having to dump the system which wastes time and money! Read our technical bulletin all about combating bacterial growth!

Characteristics of Metalworking Fluids – Alkalinity

Grasp the importance of alkalinity in metalworking by providing them with our comprehensive bulletin 'Characteristics of Metalworking Fluids - Alkalinity'. With an overview of the relationship of alkalinity to pH, and the differences between common chemistries used to raise pH, knowing more about alkalinity can help keep pH levels consistent. Read our technical bulletin all about alkalinity!

Characteristics of Metalworking Fluids – Wetting

The wetting characteristics of a fluid, that is its ability to spread, penetrate and cover a surface, can affect many aspects of the metalworking process including foaming, machine and part cleanliness, and corrosion. Recognizing wetting characteristics will give you the autonomy to make the right choices when it comes to metalworking fluids. Read our technical bulletin all about wetting!

Characteristics of Metalworking Fluids — Foam

Foam - it doesn't lubricate well, it cools poorly, it increases fluid volume, it adds to odor problems, and most importantly, it damages machine plumbing. Understanding the potential causes of foam in fluids can help you choose the right solution to their problem, whether it's fixing a mechanical problem, changing fluid choices, or knowing how and when to use antifoam. Read our technical bulletin to learn all about foam!

Concentration Control of Coolants

Every water-soluble fluid is designed to run within a specific concentration range and running below or above that range can cause an array of problems: fluids running below that range often cause corrosion, tool and sump life problems; fluids running above the range often cause dermatitis, residue, and excess fluid problems. Read our technical bulletin about the problems associated with fluid concentration and make the most out of every drop of metalworking fluid!

Concentration Control of Washing Compounds

To optimize the effectiveness of parts cleaning systems, some simple acronyms will really help you give the best advice to your customers. In this technical bulletin, we talk you through TACT (Time, Agitation, Concentration, Temperature) and the 4 Ts (Time, Temperature, Turbulence, Titration). Read our technical bulletin to learn all about parts cleaning optimization and be ready to optimize any cleaning process today!

Control of Bacteria and Fungal Growth in Metalworking Fluids — Cleaning Individual Machine Tool Sumps

Controlling the growth of bacteria and fungi in metalworking fluids is an ongoing concern for businesses. Since bacteria and fungi live primarily in the buildup on the floor and walls of the sump, good cleaning practices are a cornerstone of machine tool sump maintenance.

Fluid Application - Flood Coolant

An effective coolant delivery system can improve tool life and surface integrity, move chips or swarf from the cutting zone effectively, and provide temporary corrosion prevention. An ineffective coolant delivery system can cause tool failure due to thermal shock. But what makes an effective coolant delivery system? Read our technical bulletin to find out!

Fluid Application - Spray Mist

Spray mist primarily serves to take heat from the process and is mostly done as an alternative to flood or high pressure coolant delivery when the machine or operation doesn't allow for the free flow and return of fluid in volume. While all spray mist equipment is quite similar in function, its set-up and maintenance are critical. Read our technical bulletin all about spray mist and its unique characteristics!

Gun Drilling

Gun drilling, also called deep hole drilling, was initially developed for drilling dependable, uniform holes for rifle and gun barrels. Today, it is still used in the manufacture of armaments as well as a variety of other industries due to its numerous advantages. Read our technical bulletin to learn all about gun drilling and its many advantages!

Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs – Ammonia Blush or Amine Rush

Ammonia blush is the outgassing of anhydrous ammonia from a system under pressure. It happens when a specific set of changes to the pH occurs. A similar phenomenon, amine rush, causes the release of a pungent odor similar to the ammonia odor. While neither problem is generally a health and safety issue, ammonia blush is frequently a symptom of underlying bacterial control issues. Read our technical bulletin about the conditions that produce ammonia blush and amine rush, and find out how to reduce or prevent them!

Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs – Biodegradability

The standard definition of biodegradable is "capable of being broken down especially into innocuous products by the action of living things (such as microorganisms)." In the North American metalworking fluid market, the claim "this product is biodegradable" implies that the product can be "dumped" into sanitary sewers without problem - and this, of course, is NOT TRUE. Read our technical bulletin with a detailed and accurate definition of biodegradable!

Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs – Disposal of Metalworking Fluid Waste

Disposal of metalworking fluid waste is an issue that all the companies that we work with face. Whether they choose offsite disposal or on-site treatment depends on a number of factors, including cost, type and volume of waste, and local sewer department restrictions. Read our technical bulletin that gives an overview of waste disposal and treatment options in our technical bulletin!

Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs – Nitrites

Though Master Fluid Solutions and much of the metalworking fluids industry stopped using nitrides in the manufacture of their cutting and grinding fluids, it doesn't mean that getting a"positive" test for nitrides is impossible or even improbable but it does mean that some investigation is in order. Read our technical bulletin to find out how to identify the source(s) of a positive nitride reading!

Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs – Nitrites in Rust Inhibitors and Washing Compounds

The use of nitrites in combination with amines in metalworking fluids is regulated by the U.S. Federal Government and it is advised that amine containing materials should not be allowed to combine with fluids containing nitrites. Read our technical bulletin to find out more about the subject of nitrites and ensure nitrite containing fluids are never used in any situation where amines could come into contact with them!

Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs – Sources of Dermatitis

More than seventy years of making and servicing metalworking fluids has taught us to look to a relatively short list of issues when trying to pinpoint the cause of dermatitis. This list of possible causes, though not all inclusive, covers more than 95% of all cases with contact with contaminated, "used" working solution, or another non-fluid related issue being right at the top of the list. Read our technical bulletin to learn the main issues causing the majority of dermatitis cases!

Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs – The Hazard Communication Standard

The Hazard Communications Standard is a federal regulation that sets forth what minimum levels of health and safety information to provide employees and how that information is to be delivered. Read our technical bulletin to refresh your knowledge of the four key areas of hazard communication!

Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs – The Tank Side Use of Biocides and Fungicides

When properly used, biocides and fungicides, technically called 'antimicrobial pesticides', are very safe. However, these chemicals are designed to kill living organisms, so they need to be treated with respect. Read our technical bulletin for a detailed explanation on the proper use of the biocide or fungicide from a health, safety, and environmental perspective!

Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs — Dermatitis

We do everything possible to formulate and produce fluids that do not cause dermatitis. So why then are coolants so often implicated in industrial contact dermatitis? The answer is that the fluid in use is often very different than new fresh fluid, because of either improper management or contamination, or both. Additionally, it is the part of the process that is least understood; so when no other explanation is found, the coolant often is blamed.find out more about dermatitis and its main causes!

Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs — Dermatitis Prevention and Control

Since "used metalworking fluids" are often implicated in industrial dermatitis cases, it is important to understand what can be done to protect workers from potential irritants. There are in fact some relatively easy steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of dermatitis. Read our technical bulletin to read our tips on reducing the risk of dermatitis based on our 65 years of experience working with metalworking fluids!

Machine Tool Compatibility – Seals and Sealing

Metalworking fluids in general, and water soluble products in particular, are hard on machine seals because of the complexity of their formulation and the large variety of chemicals used in their formulation. What's more, there are no standards for metalworking fluid seal swell compatibility. Read our informative technical bulletin to find out more about seals and sealing and their relationship with metalworking fluids!

Machine Tool Compatibility – Windows

The window into fully enclosed modern machine tools is there to let you check inside while keeping the enclosure sealed. The selection process when choosing a material for the window should involve care and consideration. Read our technical bulletin to find the pros and cons of different materials for your machine tool's window!

Machine Tool Lubrication – Grease and Oil Compatibility

It is estimated that over 50% or more of all machine tool maintenance downtime is related to lubrication issues. The proper selection and use of grease and lubricating oils is therefore critical to productivity as well as machine tool health. Read our technical bulletin to find out the main issues associated with the selection of these oils and how to overcome them!

Metal Removal Fluids and Corrosion – Frequent Sources of the Problem

After more than seventy years in the industry, Master Fluid Solutions has found that the cause of a corrosion problem can frequently be traced to a relatively short list of reasons. Read our comprehensive technical bulletin with a detailed list of problems that lead to corrosion!

Metal Removal Fluids and Corrosion

Differentiating between corrosion, staining, and residue is critical when combating corrosion. This is because these three problems - often "lumped" into the same basket on the shop floor - have very different solutions. Read our technical bulletin to find out more about the important differences between corrosion, staining, and residue!

Metalworking Fluid Failure Mechanisms — Tramp Oil

Tramp oil is the name given to oil that gets into metalworking fluids unintentionally. These tramp oils are one of the major killers of metalworking fluids because of how they chemically change the fluids and affect the ability to accurately measure concentration. Read our technical bulletin about how tramp oils get into the system and the problems they cause!

Metalworking Fluids and Biological Contamination

By their very nature, metalworking fluids, whether water miscible, straight oil, or parts washing fluids, tend to be subject to biological contamination. This contamination can come from a variety of sources and presents itself in a wide variety of problems in metalworking fluids. Read our technical bulletin to read about the different problems bacterial contamination may be causing!

Metalworking Fluids and Water Quality

With water representing more than 90% of a metalworking fluids working solution, water quality is critical to ensuring the best possible working solution. It is, therefore, critical to make sure the quality of the water is as high as possible. Read our technical bulletin for a comprehensive look at water quality!

Mixing Water-miscible Metalworking Fluids

One of the most basic rules of design engineering is that to make a good product, you must start with "good" raw materials. Therefore, when working with water-miscible metalworking fluid, high quality metalworking fluids and water are key. Read our technical bulletin about water-miscible metalworking fluids and how they are mixed with water most effectively!

Recycling Metalworking Fluids

Recycling metalworking fluids is not like recycling aluminum cans or newspaper, where something without value (a can) is made into something of value. Instead, by using good fluid management and recycling techniques, it is possible to extend the life of metal removal fluid virtually indefinitely and the life of parts washing compounds by many orders of magnitude. Read our technical bulletin to find out the components that make up an effective recycling system!

The Control of Bacteria and Fungus in Metalworking Fluids

Microbiological growth is to blame for many metalworking fluid problems but luckily it can be controlled using a variety of techniques. These techniques aim to control their growth and reduce the negative impact they have though it is not possible to completely remove them from the metalworking fluids. Read our technical bulletin with an extensive list of tips on how to reduce the growth of bacteria and fungus in metalworking fluids!

The Mathematics of Metalworking Fluids

The two most commonly asked questions about metalworking fluids that require some math to answer are: 1. How big is that sump, tank, etc.? Meaning how many gallons or liters of fluid does it hold. 2. How much fluid should I add to that sump to achieve the desired concentration? Read our technical bulletin and be ready with the answer the next time you are asked these questions!

Tramp Oil Removal and Control

Tramp oils in a metalworking system are major contributors to metalworking fluid failure and enter the machine from a number of sources. Generally speaking, the amount of damage done to a system by the presence of tramp oil is directly proportional to how much tramp oil gets into the system, how long it stays in the system, and how tightly it is held in the system. Read our technical bulletin to learn some tools and techniques to remove tramp oil from a machine!

Number of documents found: 17

Characteristics of Metalworking Fluids - pH+

All metalworking fluids have optimal pH values depending on what fluid is being used, its concentration, and a host of other factors. When looking to improve the working life of their metalworking fluids, we have all the information they'll need from the logarithmic significance of the pH scale to a chart showing the pH values of common substances as compared to metalworking fluids. Read our technical bulletin and improve the working life of metalworking fluids today!

Revised: 2006-09-18

Language: US-English | en-US

Technical Bulletin: 57

Characteristics of Metalworking Fluids - Product Residue

Residue, a fact of life with machinery and fluid, is sometimes a necessity providing a corrosion resistant coating. But not all residues are created alike. Some types of residue can negatively affect machine function, filtration, cleanliness, and machine processes. Determining the type of residue can help you decide whether the residue is benign or not. Read our technical bulletin to learn all about residue!

Revised: 2006-09-18

Language: US-English | en-US

Technical Bulletin: 58

Characteristics of Metalworking Fluids - The Importance of pH+ and Reserve Alkalinity

The working pH of any given metalworking fluid is a key indicator of the fluid’s health - whether a coolant, washing compound, or water-based corrosion preventative. While the 'optimal' pH for any given fluid or situation differs, there is a pH for most fluids that will stabilize when mixed at the right concentration. Read our technical bulletin to find out the perfect pH for your metalworking fluid!

Revised: 2010-11-29

Language: US-English | en-US

Technical Bulletin: 69

Characteristics of Metalworking Fluids - Viscosity

Viscosity measures how thick or thin a fluid is, and how resistant a fluid is to pouring. In metalworking fluids, this is a key factor when working with straight oils, as it affects how well the oil lubricates. The viscosity of straight oils, coolant concentrates, and washing compounds is also a factor in pump, bulk storage, and delivery system selection. Read our illuminating technical bulletin all about viscosity!

Revised: 2006-12-01

Language: US-English | en-US

Technical Bulletin: 75

Concentration Control of Coolants by Acid Split

The acid split method of checking concentration can give very good and repeatable results but should only be done by people with knowledge of laboratory techniques and health & safety procedures in a controlled laboratory situation. Read our technical bulletin to find out more about the benefits as well as limitations of using this method to check concentration!

Revised: 2005-06-21

Language: US-English | en-US

Technical Bulletin: 29

Concentration Control of Coolants by Alkaline Titration

The ability to accurately measure and control concentration is critical to having an effective coolant management program. There are two basic methods of checking concentration: alkaline titration and refractive index. Read our technical bulletin to find out how to be in the driver's seat when it comes to concentration of coolants!

Revised: 2005-06-13

Language: US-English | en-US

Technical Bulletin: 28

Concentration Control of Washing Compounds by Alkaline Titration

To achieve the best results from your aqueous parts washing system, concentration control is critical. The best way of checking concentration (both system side and in the laboratory) is by alkaline titration. This allows you to measure concentration by measuring the total alkalinity of the working solution by titrating to an end point, typically a specific pH measure which is converted into concentration measurement. Read our technical bulletin all about how alkaline titration kit can help control the concentration of washing compounds and achieve results!

Revised: 2005-10-25

Language: US-English | en-US

Technical Bulletin: 38

Concentration Control of Washing Compounds by Conductivity

The ability to accurately measure and control the concentration of any metalworking fluid is critical to the success of both the fluids management program as a whole, and the specific operation. Read our technical bulletin about methods to accurately measure metalworking fluid concentration!

Revised: 2006-05-26

Language: US-English | en-US

Technical Bulletin: 47

Coolant Concentration Facts and Terminology

When it comes to coolant concentration, the terminology can be confusing with some words having multiple meanings. However, it is important to understand exactly what it means when we talk about coolant concentrate, working solutions, and coolant makeup. Read our technical bulletin for a clear and concise break down of coolant concentration terminology and feel confident the next time you need to talk about coolant!

Revised: 2016-04-28

Language: US-English | en-US

Technical Bulletin: 110

Fluid Application - MQL (Minimum Quantity Lubrication)

Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) is the process of using the exact amount of lubrication necessary at the specific point needed. When it works, it works brilliantly. However, like most tools and processes, it solves some problems while creating others. Read our technical bulletin to find out how effective an MQL system is at the four basic cutting functions!

Revised: 2006-12-05

Language: US-English | en-US

Technical Bulletin: 62

Fluid Application - System Sizing and Design

Metalworking fluids improve machining efficiency, refine surface integrity, transport chips or swarf from the cutting zone, and provide in-process corrosion protection on parts and chips. But to achieve all these benefits, there must be a system in place that makes sure that the fluid actually gets to the point of cut. Read our technical bulletin with a set of tried and true basic rules of system sizing and design and get the right amount of fluid to the point of cut!

Revised: 2006-12-01

Language: US-English | en-US

Technical Bulletin: 81

Heat Loss and Energy Consumption in Immersion and Ultrasonic Washers

Industrial in-process washing of machined, stamped, or fabricated parts is common - and with rising energy costs, it is also costly. Modern advances in chemical processes are making it possible to wash parts faster and with less heat than ever before. Read our technical bulletin on how heat is lost during washing and what additional benefits are of lower-temperature washing!

Revised: 2006-03-07

Language: US-English | en-US

Technical Bulletin: 46

Machine Tool Compatibility - Paint

We paint machine tools for the same reasons that we paint our cars: to make them look good and, most importantly, to protect the metallic surface from corrosion. There are two key parts to any paint job: the actual selection of the paint, and its application. Read our technical bulletin to find out everything you need to know before painting a machine tool!

Revised: 2005-06-27

Language: US-English | en-US

Technical Bulletin: 30

Metalworking Fluids - Application

Cutting fluids are used in machining and grinding operations to remove chips from the cutting zone, improve surface integrity of the finished work piece, and promote or improve tool life. For any of these things to happen, it is imperative that the fluid gets to the point of cut and that it gets there with sufficient volume and velocity to do the work required. Read our technical bulletin about the five application theories and their advantages and disadvantages!

Revised: 2006-12-04

Language: US-English | en-US

Technical Bulletin: 64

Tramp Oil Removal Device - Coalescers

Changes in metalworking fluids and their uses, including lower surface tensions, higher machine run times, and other factors, have made it increasingly difficult to remove tramp oils from metalworking fluids. For that reason, the effective coalescer tramp oil removal device has become the tool of choice for many companies. Read our technical bulletin and learn all about coalescer devices!

Revised: 2006-06-20

Language: US-English | en-US

Technical Bulletin: 59

Tramp Oil Removal Device - High-Speed, Disc-Bowl Centrifuge

The high-speed, disc-bowl centrifuge is the preferred tool for removing tramp oil from metalworking fluids and water miscible parts cleaning systems, because it can deal with removal of all types of tramp oil while parts are being made. This ability to function while the machine is working makes it the ideal tool for dealing with the tramp oil in central systems. Read our technical bulletin with tips for gaining maximum effectiveness from the centrifuge!

Revised: 2006-12-05

Language: US-English | en-US

Technical Bulletin: 72

Tramp Oil Removal Device - Oil Skimmer

One of the most commonly seen tramp oil removal devices is the oil skimmer. It is used to remove free-floating tramp oil from the surface of metalworking fluids. The oil skimmer is cost effective and comes in many shapes and sizes to fit your needs. Read our technical bulletin to find out how to can keep an oil skimmer working as effectively as possible!

Revised: 2006-07-25

Language: US-English | en-US

Technical Bulletin: 54