California based industrial lubricant provider, Chem Arrow, is currently enhancing its ArrowCool line of metalworking fluids to meet the latest global legislation introduced to protect both the environment and workers' health from harmful effects associated with traditional components.
Chem Arrow's R&D team has been tasked with eliminating the use of biocide, formaldehyde releasing agents, secondary amines and boron which have all traditionally been used in metalworking fluids for a number of years, without impairing the coolants' performance.
The new ArrowCool line will offer customers a number of benefits as Mike Drieseberg, VP Corporate Sales, explains, "The new grades of products offer customers exceptional bio-stability, low foam and high lubricity. The state-of-the-art technology used to formulate our products assists customers in using less fluid which, in turn, reduces their total operating costs and environmental impact."
According to the company, this improved performance can be attributed to a number of factors including the sophistication of raw materials and developments in product stability. General Manager, Shawneen Mitchell, says, "Bio-stability is a key issue in our industry. Metalworking fluids are particularly susceptible to attack by bacteria. This leads to a reduced product life-span which incurs additional costs such as machine down-time and increased disposal costs.
"When the machine tool is idle, tramp oil floats to the surface forming a film over the coolant which 'traps' anaerobic bacteria providing them with an ideal breeding ground. The presence of bacteria becomes obvious when the workplace is filled with 'hydrogen sulphide' which smells like rotten eggs and creates an unpleasant work environment for operators." Mitchell continues, "The bacteria will eventually break-down the coolant and reduce its effectiveness to a level where it needs to be completely replaced. New global legislation now restricts the use of many conventional additives that have been used in the past to fight bacteria. This means we have had to develop alternative solutions to minimizing bacteria growth in our coolants. Chem Arrow's product development team has successfully created a line of fluids that meet modern day restrictions, without giving up any of the performance that our customers are accustomed to."
Developments in low-foam technology are also vital in Chem Arrow's R&D work. Drieseberg explains that workplaces where high-pressure metalworking applications are commonplace can also be negatively impacted by the amount of foam generated. "High pressure, high volume fluid applications have resulted in increased tool life and productivity gains for our customers. Low foam technology is imperative for these high pressure coolant applications. A build-up of foam can impede the metalworking fluid getting to the point of cut where it's needed. It can also spill over the sump, leading to a slip hazard and increased consumption of fluid."
The improved ArrowCool line benefits from low-foam technology, eliminating the need to use anti-foam additives. "With proper maintenance traditional metalworking fluids offer a service life of approximately six months, whereas Chem Arrow's new ArrowCool range can be used for several years. This significantly reduces costs associated with purchasing replacement fluids and legal disposal of used coolant," said Drieseberg.
Chem Arrow Corporation is a global manufacturer and service provider of metalworking fluids, industrial lubricants, cleaners and specialty chemical products.
For more information contact:
Chem Arrow Corporation
13643 Live Oak Lane
Irwindale, CA 91706
626-358-2255
www.chemarrow.com