LubricantsWhat are machining lubricants and which one should you choose? CONDACUT, POLYBIO and MECAGREEN
In machining, the lubricant is what keeps the tool sharp longer, protects the workpiece and leaves a good finish. In this guide we explain what a machining lubricant is, what it is for, the difference between a straight oil and a water-soluble fluid, and which lines we carry at NAT MAC: CONDACUT, POLYBIO and MECAGREEN, from the CONDAT brand.
What is a machining lubricant and what is it for?
Machining is the set of operations in which a part is shaped by removing material with a cutting tool: turning, milling, drilling, tapping and grinding, among others. In that cutting, a lot of friction and heat are generated between the tool and the workpiece.
Machining lubricant, also called cutting fluid or coolant, does two jobs at once: it lubricates, to reduce friction and protect the tool, and it cools, to carry away the heat produced by cutting. Without it, the tool wears quickly, the workpiece heats up and deforms, and the finish gets worse.
What is machining lubricant for?
A good cutting fluid performs these functions:
| Function | What does it do? |
|---|---|
| Lubricates the cut | Reduces friction between the tool and the part and extends tool life |
| Cools | Dissipates the heat generated by cutting and keeps the operation stable |
| Evacuates the chip | Helps carry chips away from the work zone |
| Protects and gives a good finish | Protects the part against corrosion and leaves a clean, uniform surface |
Straight oil or water-soluble fluid?
In machining there are two main families of lubricant, depending on whether they are used neat or mixed with water. It is the first decision when choosing:
- Straight oils: used neat, undiluted. They offer maximum lubrication and the best finish, which makes them ideal for precision operations and demanding jobs. In return, they cool less.
- Soluble or water-soluble fluids: mixed with water. They balance lubrication with good cooling, so they are the usual choice for general machining and high speeds.
Of the lines we carry, CONDACUT is a neat oil, while POLYBIO and MECAGREEN are water-soluble.
The machining lubricants we carry
We carry three CONDAT lines covering everything from precision machining to the most severe machining operations. This table summarizes them:
| Product | What is it? | When to use it? |
|---|---|---|
| CONDACUT® | Straight oil (used neat, without water) | Precision cutting and machining, when maximum lubrication is needed |
| POLYBIO® | Soluble oil (mixed with water) | General machining and grinding, in various metals |
| MECAGREEN® | Water-soluble coolant of plant origin | Severe machining, aluminum and stainless, with cleaner operation |
CONDACUT: straight oil for cutting and precision work
CONDACUT is CONDAT's line of straight oils for cutting and machining operations. It is used neat, undiluted, and offers maximum lubrication: it reduces friction between the tool and the workpiece, controls wear and leaves a clean, uniform finish. The range includes low-viscosity oils for light and precision work, and extreme-pressure formulations for the toughest machining. Its formulations are chlorine-free, and CONDACUT 105 also contains no sulfur or heavy metals.
Typical applications: precision grinding, honing and lapping, threading, deep-hole drilling, bar turning, metal milling and small-part manufacturing.
POLYBIO: soluble oil for general machining
POLYBIO is CONDAT's line of soluble oils for machining and grinding. When mixed with water it forms microemulsions that balance lubrication and cooling, protect the part against corrosion and keep the process stable. The range runs from multi-purpose products for light and moderate operations, to formulations with higher oil content for demanding jobs and high-performance solutions for aluminum. It offers good filterability, foam control and compatibility with different materials.
Typical applications: general metal machining, turning, milling, drilling, threading, precision and high-speed grinding, and machining of cast iron, steels and stainless steels.
MECAGREEN: water-soluble coolant of plant origin
MECAGREEN is CONDAT's line of water-soluble coolants formulated with synthetic esters of plant origin. It is supplied as a concentrate to dilute in water and provides lubrication, cooling and protection during machining. The range includes multi-purpose solutions and high-performance formulations for severe machining, aluminum, stainless steel and special alloys. It promotes longer tool life, good fluid stability, low foaming and cleaner operation.
Typical applications: turning and milling, drilling and tapping, chip-removal machining, high-speed grinding, heavy-duty machining, and machining of aluminum, aerospace alloys and stainless steel.
How to choose the right machining lubricant?
The choice depends on the operation, the material and whether you need to prioritize lubrication or cooling:
- If you are looking for maximum lubrication and the best finish in precision or demanding operations (grinding, deep-hole drilling, fine threading), the right choice is CONDACUT (straight oil).
- If you do general machining and grinding on different metals and want a good balance between lubricating and cooling, POLYBIO (soluble oil) is the versatile choice.
- If you prefer a cleaner, plant-based technology, or you do severe machining, aluminum or stainless, the right choice is MECAGREEN (water-soluble, plant-based).
POLYBIO and MECAGREEN are supplied as a concentrate and mixed with water at the recommended ratio; CONDACUT, on the other hand, is used straight. We help you define the right dilution and maintenance for your operation.
In summary
- In machining, the lubricant does two things: it lubricates the cut and cools the work zone
- There are two families: straight oils (neat) and soluble fluids (mixed with water)
- CONDACUT is a straight cutting oil for precision; POLYBIO is a multipurpose soluble oil; MECAGREEN is a water-soluble, plant-based fluid
- The choice depends on the operation, the material and whether you prioritize lubricating or cooling
Why buy your lubricants at NAT MAC?
We are a CONDAT distributor with more than 54 years of experience in the industry and ISO 9001 certified quality. We don't just supply the fluid: we analyze your machining process and recommend the right line and dilution for your operation.
- CONDAT machining lubricants: CONDACUT, POLYBIO and MECAGREEN
- Advice on choosing the right fluid for your operation and material
- Support in defining the dilution and maintenance of the fluid
- Assessment of your machining process
- Backed by ISO 9001 certified quality
Tell us about your machining process and the parts you produce, and we will recommend the right line. Request your free quote.
Sources: NAT MAC Lubricants catalog; CONDAT Lubricants.
