Case Studies

A semiconductor equipment manufacturer milling and turning PEEK, UHMW, Ultem^®, and PTFE plastics was consuming an excess amount of coolant to get the job done. Due to the large volume of fluid needed to run the 90 machines in the shop, the frequent cleanouts required due to the bacterial contaminations of the fluid in the sump, and the high concentration of fluid necessary to get the job done, coolant costs were high. To make matters worse, the plant had odor problems creating poor working conditions for employees. Despite the many issues the manufacturer was facing, the company producing the coolant did not offer the support the manufacturer needed so they decided to look elsewhere for a solution.

Based on the problems the manufacturer was facing, they received a recommendation for TRIM MicroSol 585XT, a high-lubricity, semisynthetic microemulsion coolant from Master Fluid Solutions^® that is approved by Applied Materials^® and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory^® for the semiconductor industry. MicroSol 585XT dramatically extends useful life without the need for tank-side biocides or fungicides making it the perfect choice for the plant’s odor issues and short sump life.

Effective with titanium, aluminum alloys, and a variety of other metals, MicroSol 585XT is also compatible with many plastics and composites, making it ideal for mixed-material environments. Free from nitrites, triazines, phenols, and chlorinated or sulfurized additives, it keeps machines clean with a soft, easy-to-remove fluid film and supports standard recycling and disposal methods.

After a three-month trial of MicroSol 585XT, the plant was very pleased with the results. Unlike their previous coolant, 585XT runs at a far lower concentration–nearly half the makeup rate of the previous fluid while offering extended life in the sump. Machines are running cleaner, and the facility has a much more pleasant smell, greatly improving the plant environment and employee morale. Furthermore, 585XT’s lower carryoff on shavings translates to less environmental impact. Partnering with Master Fluid Solutions means the company has access to support whenever needed, whether that be with Master Fluid Solutions’ technical support line, their plethora of online resources, or expert site visits. Satisfied with the fluid’s performance and the quality of support, the company decided to convert the entire facility and, as a result, reduced consumption by 25% in the first year.