Water-Soluble Cutting Fluid.

103 grades of water-soluble cutting fluids from Castrol, FUCHS and Mobil, supplied in Dubai and across the UAE and Oman by LUBE-tech. Also called soluble cutting oil, machine coolant, CNC coolant, emulsion coolant, semi-synthetic coolant, water-miscible metalworking fluid.

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Water-Soluble Cutting Fluid in the UAE & Oman

How to choose a water-soluble cutting fluid.

A water-soluble cutting fluid is a concentrate mixed with water, typically at 5 to 10 per cent, to cool and lubricate turning, milling, drilling, tapping, sawing and grinding. Water carries the heat away; the concentrate supplies lubrication, corrosion protection and the biocide system that keeps the sump from going sour. Fluids are grouped as emulsions (soluble oils), semi-synthetics and synthetics by how much mineral oil they carry.

LUBE-tech supplies water-soluble cutting fluids from FUCHS ECOCOOL, Castrol Hysol, Syntilo, Alusol and Almaredge, and Mobilcut in Dubai and across the UAE and Oman, along with the biocides, system cleaners and refractometers to run them.

Picking the right grade

Material: Aluminium and non-ferrous alloys need a fluid that does not stain them, such as Castrol Alusol or an ECOCOOL aluminium grade. Cast iron and steel take a general-purpose emulsion or semi-synthetic. Titanium, nickel alloys and stainless steel need high lubricity, often a high-oil semi-synthetic.
Operation: Grinding wants a clean, low-foaming synthetic or semi-synthetic that settles swarf. Heavy milling, tapping and drilling want more oil and EP additives. Multi-purpose shops usually settle on a semi-synthetic that covers both.
Boron, formaldehyde and amine-free: Many plants now specify fluids free of boron and formaldehyde-releasing biocides; the ECOCOOL, Hysol and Syntilo ranges include these, marked BF, FF or XBB in the name.
Water quality: Hard water breaks emulsions and soft water foams. Check the water hardness and choose a fluid rated for it, or treat the water. Mobilcut and ECOCOOL grades are listed for wide hardness ranges.
Concentration: Run the fluid at the concentration the data sheet gives and check it with a refractometer. Too lean corrodes and goes rancid; too rich foams, costs money and irritates skin.

Related types and alternatives

Products a buyer looking for water-soluble cutting fluids often needs instead, or as well.

Neat Cutting Oil: For operations where lubrication matters more than cooling: broaching, gear cutting, deep-hole drilling, threading and heavy turning of hard alloys.
Grinding Oil: For grinding carbide, hardened steel and tool flutes with a neat oil.
Minimum Quantity Lubrication Oil: For minimum quantity lubrication, where a few millilitres an hour of oil mist replaces the flood coolant.
Slideway Oil: For the machine's ways, which need an oil that separates from the coolant.
Industrial Cleaner & Degreaser: For cleaning the sump before a coolant change.

Questions buyers ask

What is the difference between soluble oil, semi-synthetic and synthetic coolant?

Soluble oil (emulsion) carries the most mineral oil and gives the best lubrication for heavy cuts. Synthetic fluids contain no mineral oil, run cleanest and cool best, and suit grinding. Semi-synthetics sit between and are the usual choice for mixed machining.

What concentration should I run my coolant at?

The concentration on the data sheet, usually 5 to 8 per cent for general machining and higher for heavy cuts or difficult alloys. Check it weekly with a refractometer and top up with pre-mixed fluid, not plain water.

Why does my coolant smell?

Bacteria have grown in the sump, usually because the concentration dropped, tramp oil built up, or the machine stood idle. Skim tramp oil, correct the concentration, add a biocide if the maker recommends one, and clean the system at the next change.

Which coolant for machining aluminium?

A fluid made for aluminium, such as Castrol Alusol or an ECOCOOL aluminium grade, which does not stain the metal and handles the sticky, gummy swarf. Tell us the alloy and the operations and we will quote the right grade.

The grades we list