Measure hazardous cooling lubricants with SG5200 and SG100ex measuring devices
Our SG5200 or SG5100ex samplers can be used to check for possible hazards caused by lubricants. These measuring devices for measuring cooling lubricants are coupled with the GGP sampling system and can, for example, detect oil aerosols and measure cooling lubricants.
If you have any questions about measuring hazardous cooling lubricants or the measuring devices, our staff will be happy to help.
What are cooling lubricants?
Definition of
Cooling lubricant is a collective term for mixtures of substances that are used in metalworking for cooling and lubrication. It is often a multi-component mixture, as the basic substances – water and oil – alone do not have the desired effect. There are two main effects:
- Cooling: Lowering the temperature caused by friction
- Lubrication: Reduction of friction between tool and workpiece
The cooling lubricants can be divided into two main groups with reference to DIN 51385:
- Water-miscible: consist of 90% water and are present as an emulsion or solution
- Non-water-miscible: (mineral) oils, often mixed with additives
Advantages and disadvantages of cooling lubricants
Both lubricants have different advantages and disadvantages. Water-miscible cooling lubricants are usually supplied as concentrates and then diluted with water to form the desired solution. The solutions are free of mineral oil, have good cooling properties and tend to foam less than emulsions. However, the disadvantages are the tendency of the solution to wash off other lubricants and the reduced lubricating effect. Emulsions contain oils and emulsifiers, which is why they tend to foam. They are widely used in industry due to their good cooling effect and low application price. However, their low resistance to microorganisms and reduced corrosion protection are disadvantageous.
Non-water-miscible cooling lubricants consist of mineral oils, polyalphaolefins or ester-based oils. The main advantage is the very good lubricating effect. Depending on the desired requirements, additional additives are mixed in to enhance certain properties. An additional advantage is the resistance to biological microorganisms, so that no biocides need to be added. However, oil-based lubricants have the disadvantage that they have low cooling properties. There is also the risk of so-called “oil mist”, where oil is released as an aerosol. This can be hazardous to health and, depending on the oil, the mist can be flammable. Further safety measures are therefore necessary.
Possible cooling lubricant hazards
Whether cooling lubricants pose a health risk depends on the lubricant used. However, risk assessments and safety data sheets must be available for all substances used. These are subject to the Hazardous Substances Ordinance.
Among other things, hazard statements (R-phrases), safety instructions (S-phrases) and safety advice (P-phrases) must be included. If the product is a concentrate, the preparation of the working solution must be indicated. Proper disposal must also be explained. If biocides are contained, for example, they must not be disposed of via the water drain under any circumstances. If there is a risk of the lubricant being released during use (e.g. “oil mist”), additional safety measures must be taken to protect the employee from a health hazard.
Sources:
[1]: https://grindaix.de/magazin/kuehlschmierstoffe/
[2]: https://www.bghm.de/arbeitsschuetzer/bibliothek/kuehlschmierstoffe/
[3]: https://www.dguv.de/ifa/praxishilfen/kuehlschmierstoffe/index.jsp
[4]: https://www.dguv.de/ifa/praxishilfen/kuehlschmierstoffe/kuehlschmierstoff/index.jsp
[5]: https://www.vbg.de/apl/arbhilf/unterw/42_kss.htm
[6]: https://www.bghm.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Arbeitsschuetzer/Gesetze_Vorschriften/Regeln/109-003.pdf