Top performing coolant found by specialist in industrial metalworking fluid

As one of the world’s largest and longest established suppliers of specialist industrial metalworking fluids and fluid management services, Houghton plc have proven the benefits of Hocut 795 coolant as an effective coolant replacement for titanium machining.  Hammond Lubricants and Chemicals are a key distributor for Houghton in the Midlands region.

Manchester based, Houghton plc was invited to supply products based on results from independent extensive new research into titanium machining at AMRC, Rotherham, the leading UK aerospace research centre, after a customer felt that their current semi-synthetic coolant did not provide sufficient tool or sump life.  As a leading provider of forged and heat treated aerospace serving the aero-engine, airframe, flight control systems and landing gear markets, they required the most cost effective replacement for titanium machining.  They also wanted a comparison of a number of coolants in machining tests milling titanium (Ti64) wing pylons for aircraft.

The AMRC Coolant Characterisation Research Programme made use of a Wadkin CNC machine using carbide insert tooling.  The trials initially tested three products for manufacture of titanium pylons: the semi-synthetic coolant already in use, a high ester EP coolant and Hocut 795.  Overall, a total of 6 milling tools were monitored for tool change frequency during the period of the trial. 

Results of the research programme were disseminated amongst engineering staff where tool life testing has been carried out on 12 different types of coolant chemistry for titanium machining.  The best performance of all was given by Hocut 795 technology showing as much as three times the tool life in some instances. 

Hammond Lubricants and Chemicals act as a key distributor for Houghton in its supply of industrial networking fluids and fluid management services.  After more than 30 years in the industry, Hammond Lubricants have a well established reputation for the dependable supply of quality chemical products and expert technical support.  Furthermore, they hold a wide range of stock from which they are able to offer next day, if not same day, delivery nationwide from their centrally located West Midlands sales and storage depot.