UK-developed coolant increases sump life in Russia

Electroshield Group, based in Samara, is a manufacturer serving both the electrical engineering and construction markets. Its products range from switchgear to profile flooring and fascia panelling. Innovation in electrical design is one of the company's key strengths. Indeed more than 75 per cent of its total output involves new products in this field.

The metalworking process that was proving uneconomic for Electroshield was in the manufacture of transformer substations and their related components. A VF2 HAAS milling machine is used to produce parts from low-carbon steel, but both the quality of the process and its cost efficiency were being compromised. The cause of the problem was domestically supplied metalworking fluid that needed to be renewed every month. Annual consumption of this fluid was in excess of 3000 litres.

Yury Reshmin, Master Chemical Europe's District Manager for Russia, recommended Electroshield should conduct a trial using TRIM SC412. This is a fluid that Master Chemical Europe formulated specifically for cost-effective, high-quality cast iron and steel machining. It provides excellent rust protection and eliminates the build-up of graphite residue so a clean production environment is assured.

This is a versatile fluid that can be used for turning, drilling and tapping as well as milling and grinding. It is also hard water tolerant, an important issue for Electroshield as water hardness in the Volga Region can be up to 380ppm.

For the trial, the 155 litre machine tank was filled with TRIM SC412 at 11 per cent concentration and run for 3 months, during which time Yury Reshmin visited the factory six times to monitor the operation and give further advice.

He confirms: "At the end of the trial our TRIM fluid was performing as well as it did at the start, even though the concentration had been reduced to 5.8 per cent. The company is now running it at 0.76 per cent and the performance is still the same."

As only 7.6 litres of the concentrate had been used during the entire trial period, TRIM SC412 proved to be highly economical right from the start. For Electroshield, it provided the attractive combination of low consumption and a long sump life.

High operator acceptance

The biostability of the product was proven, holding firm at 9.5 pH throughout the trial. Corrosion protection and machine cleanliness were both good and, importantly, operator acceptance was high. In common with all metalworking fluids from Master Chemical Europe, TRIM SC412 is kind to both operators and the environment. It contains no DEA, chlorine, nitrites or phenolic compounds.

On the strength of its performance Electroshield has now switched to TRIM SC412 for low-carbon steel machining.

To learn more about TRIM SC412 cutting and grinding fluid, please go to www.masterchemical.com.