Boron and ‘formaldehyde donor’ biocides in metal-working fluids are not only restricted in certain European countries; they are also constituents that an increasing number of manufacturers choose to avoid.

To meet the growing trend to use ‘cleaner’ fluids, Needham Market-based Master Fluid Solutions (www.masterfluidsolutions.com) has added Trim C116 to its family of products that are free from these biocides.

Trim C116 — an ultra-low-foaming general-purpose fluid for cutting, grinding and other high-pressure applications — has been developed for working with cast iron and mild steel, for which it is said to provide excellent corrosion inhibition. The product is also compatible with plastics and composites.

According to Master Fluid Solutions, the cutting fluid’s wetting characteristics keep grinding wheels clean, allowing chips to be efficiently flushed away from the process. This capability, together with effective workpiece cooling, ensures minimal burning during grinding operations.

Water-clear and with a very low chemical odour, Trim C116 is said to provide high levels of tramp-oil rejection and excellent bio-stability. Indeed, one of its European testers, a manufacturer of cutting blades, said that a key benefit of Trim C116 over the company’s existing grinding fluid was the elimination of fungal problems.