Bonding failures have occasionally occurred where customers have used synthetic or semi-synthetic cutting fluids at extremely low pH levels. A known problem with such coolants is their tendency to become caustic if not maintained carefully, allowing them to attack the interface between the Visiport aluminum base and the bonding material.
After simulating such conditions with low pH metalworking fluids, it seems that bonding failures of this type are due more to the fact that the caustic metalworking fluid has eaten the aluminum away from underneath the seal junction than from a failure of the sealing material itself.
Naturally, caution should be exercised when using coolant susceptible to such pH balance problems. In addition to damaging the Visiport installed in such applications, it seems highly likely that significant and costly machine tool component failures would be an eventual outcome from this type of situation. Coolant types based on water soluble mineral or natural oils would seem to be preferable under these conditions, and are eminently compatible with Visiport installations.
For more information, please contact T2K.
Posted by T2K.