There are many considerations when choosing a cutting fluid for a metalworking application. Cutting fluids and lubricants will differ in terms of their composition and physical properties, designed for particular applications. All these factors must be balanced against cost to ensure that you pick the perfect product to meet your needs. In some cases, you may need to compromise, but with expert support and advice, you will often be able to find a product that meets all of your demands.
This is often a reason why buyers in the metalworking sector remain loyal to legacy products. There is financial cost and an element of risk involved in switching to a new product, and it may not seem worthwhile to take that chance even if there are significant performance optimisations to be gained. However, provided you have a good understanding of your requirements and strong technical knowledge - or an expert you can trust - it is often worthwhile to upgrade.
The other factor in making a switch is the regular process of upgrading and discontinuing lubricants that major manufacturers engage in. Sometimes, you don’t have a choice but to break away from tradition and try something new. If you need support in finding a suitable alternative product, the technical experts at Broughton Lubricants can support you with advice tailored to your specifications. Thanks to our many years of experience, we understand a wide range of legacy products and can guide you towards the most suitable upgrade for your needs.
Thankfully, there are significant benefits to be gained whether you are upgrading by choice or out of necessity. There is no better example than Castrol’s XBB range of metalworking fluids, which build on previous product ranges and are precision-engineered to deliver exceptional performance, reduced maintenance requirements and a host of benefits to meet the needs of any application.
The role of cleaning fluids
Castrol's XBB products are semi-synthetic, which means that they offer an excellent standard of performance, high efficiency, and an extended lifespan compared to mineral oils, but remain cost-effective compared with fully synthetic products.
For many metalworking processes, it is vital to regularly test the pH, concentration, bacterial content and other variables of the metalworking fluid in use to optimise machining performance, but the stability of the XBB range reduces these maintenance requirements. In fact, both the Castrol Alusol XBB and Hysol XBB fluids resist pH changes for longer than other products on the market. This keeps your cutting fluids working at the highest level for longer and thereby lowers operational costs while improving machining performance.
Most products in the range are free from chlorine, biocides like formaldehyde, and boron, which can help you to meet the legislative requirements for waste treatment and disposal that may apply to your sector.
Why choose Castrol for metalworking fluids and cleaners?
Castrol is one of the UK's leading brands for metalworking fluids, and the company's Techniclean 90 XBC industrial process cleaner is a versatile, cutting-edge solution for modern industries. Combining the reliability of Castrol's oils and lubricants with a wide range of benefits designed specifically for cleaning, Techniclean 90 XBC is often a one-size-fits-all approach to delivering performance improvements in industrial applications.
There are a number of benefits to using Castrol Techniclean 90 XBC for metalworked parts, and several ways in which the product overcomes some of the typical disadvantages of water-based cleaners compared to solvents. This makes it a cost-effective, high-performance solution for the production of all ferrous and aluminium goods.
Techniclean can reliably remove dirt and swarf without excess water consumption, and also tackles any residues of water-soluble cutting or forming oils, leaving behind only a thin corrosion-preventative film when metals are dry. The product can be applied using spray or flood-wash equipment, which can also reduce the risk of high-pressure pumps damaging metalworked parts.
The product does not contain formaldehyde-based biocides, inorganic salts or monoethanolamine, helping you to maintain compliance by reducing the risks to health that these substances can pose. It works at lower temperatures to reduce the costs and environmental impact of your operations. The demulsifying properties give Techniclean 90 XBC a longer bath life than other cleaning fluids and enable easier skimming, which can reduce overall maintenance requirements and save time and money.
For these reasons, Castrol Techniclean 90 XBC cleaner is one of the most versatile and high-performance fluids for metalworking applications. To learn more about Techniclean 90 XBC and the wider Castrol range of metalworking fluids, or for product recommendations tailored to your specific requirements, contact Broughton Lubricants today. Call us on 03300 555 655, or use our enquiry form to request a call back at your convenience.
Almost every method of renewable power generation that uses turbines will rely on lubricants to operate as efficiently as possible. For example, as well as wind turbines, hydroelectric turbines make use of oils and greases to lubricate bearings, decrease internal resistance and maximise energy generation. This means that a variety of lubricant products are common in both pumped hydroelectric energy storage and run-of-river hydroelectricity plants.
There are lubricant products that are specially designed for this type of application, which provide low foaming tendency, efficiency and operability at a wide temperature range, and longer oil change intervals. These qualities are all vital for improving efficiency in hydroelectric power generation.
As this demonstrates, each type of unit and each application will have different lubricant requirements that you should consider before choosing a product. While manufacturers’ recommendations are typically a useful place to start in terms of identifying the appropriate product, there are often reasons why you should consult other sources in addition. For example, the market for oils, greases and other lubricant products changes very quickly, while the units themselves will usually last a long time, especially if the right lubricant is chosen. This means that lubricants recommended in a user’s manual for a piece of machinery may have been discontinued, or that more advanced products have reached the market that can outperform the lubricant you have been encouraged to use.
In such cases, it is important to consult an expert about the lubricant you are using for your specific use case. At Broughton Lubricants, we can recommend the most suitable product that is currently available and even test your machinery and the lubricants you are using to determine whether or not you could make improvements.
To find out more about choosing the right lubricant to maintain wind turbines or other industrial machinery, or for advice on the sustainability and eco-friendly application of different products, call Broughton Lubricants today on 03300 555 655.
