Minimal Quantity Lubricant (MQL) has the following key features:
1. Good lubrication performance
Micro-lubricants contain highly effective lubricant ingredients. These lubricants can form a stable lubricating film on the metal surface. For example, in cutting, it can reduce the friction coefficient between the tool and the workpiece. Even in high-speed cutting or high-pressure processing environments, this lubricating film can still effectively reduce friction, making the processing process smoother, thereby improving processing accuracy and surface quality.
2. Small dosage
As the name suggests, micro-lubricants use very little. Compared with traditional pouring lubrication methods, the amount used may be only a few tenths of the traditional method or even less. In mechanical processing, it uses a precise spray system to spray the lubricant in the form of tiny droplets to the processing area to provide precise lubrication. This not only reduces the waste of lubricant, but also reduces the difficulty and cost of subsequent cleaning work.
3. Better cooling effect
In addition to the lubrication function, micro-lubricants also have a certain cooling effect. On some high-speed mechanical parts, when the lubricant is sprayed into the friction area, it absorbs some heat. This heat is taken away with the flow of the lubricant, thereby effectively reducing the temperature of the parts. Although its cooling effect may not be as good as that of special cutting fluids, in some processing occasions that are not very sensitive to temperature, the cooling effect of micro-lubricants can already meet basic needs.
4. Excellent environmental performance
Micro-lubricants are generally composed of biodegradable base oils and additives. This means that they cause less pollution to the environment. When micro-lubricants enter the soil or water, the biodegradable components in them can be decomposed by microorganisms in the natural environment, and will not remain for a long time like some traditional lubricants, causing serious pollution to the soil and water sources. Moreover, due to its small amount of use, the waste oil generated is relatively small, further reducing the potential harm to the environment.
5. High security
Many micro-lubricants have a high flash point, which makes them less likely to burn during use. In some processing environments with fire hazards, such as high-temperature heat sources or sparks in metal processing workshops, the use of micro-lubricants can reduce the risk of fire. In addition, some micro-lubricants do not contain additives that are harmful to the human body, such as heavy metals and certain harmful chemicals, thereby reducing the harm to the health of operators.
6. Can improve processing efficiency
Due to its good lubrication and cooling properties, it can reduce tool wear during machining. Reduced tool wear means that the tool life can be extended and the frequency of tool replacement can be reduced. In this way, downtime during machining will be shortened, thereby improving the efficiency of the entire machining process. In addition, good lubrication can also increase the machining speed appropriately, further improving production efficiency.