ABSTRACT
Cutting fluids are popularly used in machining for cooling and lubrication. Apart from the ability to perform these basic functions, cutting fluids are also required to have several ancillary properties like stability, low toxicity, resistance to microbial contamination, etc. In order to assess the effectiveness of the fluids, it is important to estimate these properties. The properties of the cutting fluids can be estimated using markers like dynamic viscosity, thermal conductivity, pH value, plate count for microbial contamination, water separability, etc. This chapter presents standard test procedures for the evaluation of these markers for the properties. ASTM standards are followed throughout the chapter. Experimental setups, calibration procedures (wherever appropriate), and test procedures are described in this chapter.
