Eco-Friendly, Non-Toxic Cutting Fluid for Sustainable Manufacturing and Machining Processes

Abstract

Mineral oils, chemically synthesized emulsifiers, and additives are the basic ingredients of commercially available metal working fluids. Its application in metal cutting have earned widespread acceptance all over the world. However, their harmful effects on the environment and life threatening health hazards to workers are of great concern and calls for a better alternative. In this present study a green metalworking fluid / green cutting fluid (GCF) was formulated and the performance was evaluated comparing with the commercial metal working fluid (COM) used in industries for machining processes. The obtained eco-friendly formulation has material properties equivalent to the commercial formulation without any environmental hazard. GCF is comparable to COM in corrosion prevention, inhibition of microbial growth and other machining processes. It was reported that vegetable oil based green cutting fluids have more of Gram-negative bacterial growth where as mineral oil based ones have more of Gram-positive bacteria. These bacteria cause environmental hazards and antimicrobials can be included for better antimicrobial properties. GCF supersedes COM by being non-toxic at LC50 >1000 mg/L and COM being toxic at LC50 < 100 mg/L according to OECD 203 tests methods. GCF, produced only from renewable sources is non-toxic and biodegradable and helps contribute towards green and sustainable manufacturing processes without any environmental pollution or hazards.