Bridging the Gap between Metalworking Fluid Bench Tests and Machining Operations

An extensive number of laboratory bench tests are available to evaluate metalworking fluids. The challenge is to identify laboratory bench tests that correlate well with metalworking operations undertaken by end-users. Good correlation between an actual machining operation and laboratory bench tests can be achieved by understanding the complexity of the machining operation and determining how well it fits tribologically with the laboratory bench test. Laboratory bench testing can correlate well initially with an actual machining operation, but conditions in the actual machining operation can change over time, making it difficult to evaluate these changes in the laboratory.