Metalworking Fluids (MWF) Testing

Intertek provides quality testing and condition monitoring services for Metalworking Fluids (MWFs). Metalworking fluids are complex formulations which contain diverse additive types to ensure optimum performance.

Metal cutting creates heat and particles which can damage equipment and products. Among the benefits and expected functions of MWF’s are cooling, lubricity, corrosion protection, welding prevention, metal chip flushing, metal fragment removal, and surface integrity improvement.

Contaminants such as microbes and “tramp oil” can also enter MWF systems, accelerating fluid degradation over time. For these reasons, it is important to monitor the quality and condition of MWFs over their operating lifetimes to help ensure performance can be maintained at acceptable levels.

Intertek’s fluid condition monitoring laboratory in Rotterdam helps clients avoid expensive damage to expensive metal cutting machinery and costly downtime for repairs. Wear metal testing detects metal wear contamination, improving machinery reliability and preventing damage and downtime.

Intertek performs the following Metalworking Fluid tests:

Acid Split (DIN51368)
Alkalinity
Acidity, pH (DIN51369)
Chlorides
Concentration by Refractive reading
Conductivity 20°C (DIN51412)
Cream Release, Oil release, Tramp oils
Nitrate, Nitrite
Corrosion test (DIN51360/2)
Biocides (different types)
Metals
Foam test
Reichert test
Residue
Surface Tension
Bacteria, Fungi, Yeast
Cloudpoint
Ester, Fatty acid by FTIR