Any machinists/clever people about?

[Shep]

I use a cutting fluid on some metals I engrave, now, partly because I'm a tight git and partly because I feel its a better fluid, I make my own, Oil (Castrol GP 4T), wahsing-up liquid and water, mixes up well, forms an emulsion easily and more importantly works really well

However the emulsion soon separates. not too bad if you are applying by brush, but a real PIA if i try to use an automatic fluid feed.

Any ideas on how to stabilise an emulsion

Got to be cheap though else I might as well go and buy some proper stuff

Shep

 

[Tarka]

Will it not be separating because of the detergents in the washing up liquid ??

 

[Shep]

Will it not be separating because of the detergents in the washing up liquid ??

I was assuming the detergents allowed the oil and water to form an emulsion

 

[Fanum]

I was assuming the detergents allowed the oil and water to form an emulsion

It does, but the levels and different types of surfactants contained in washing up liquid vary a lot.....

Try really cheap liquid...thin stuff from aldi ...that's 'non built' so it won't have the surfactants that the dear 'fully built' stuff like Fairy will........

Then try fairy.....the two types of liquid are very different in composition and will create different emulsion longevity, but my chemistry is't up to saying which would work better, just that washing up liquids are all different.

Also try egg yolk......that contains a stuff called Lecithin which is a natural emulsifier..it's what makes mayonnaise white and gloopy rather than yukky......

HTH

 

[Gas'd Off]

I'm not a machinist and definitely not clever but I always thought that cutting/cooling fluid used on lathes and stuff was simply oil & water nothing more? I do know a man who is a machinist though, I'll ask him ...................

 

[Fanum]

Shep...try a few flakes of pure soap as well....just a tiny amount.......any decent supermarket will have soap flakes.

 

[Shep]

Shep...try a few flakes of pure soap as well....just a tiny amount.......any decent supermarket will have soap flakes.

Instead of the Fairy? or as well?

I was thinking it may be a error on quantities causing the water to drop out of the emulsion, at the moment i use 50% oil 40% water 10% fairy

I'll try a lot less oil and a bit of non bio powder Maybe 20% 75% 5% with a bit of bat wing and eye of newt

All ideas welcome

 

[sycomoto]

Extract of urine.

Funny that the way water and oil separate. I have the same issue with salad dressings. found if you shake before use that works quite well.

sorry chap just ribbin yer, made me chuckle though.....

 

[Shep]

I'm not a machinist and definitely not clever but I always thought that cutting/cooling fluid used on lathes and stuff was simply oil & water nothing more? I do know a man who is a machinist though, I'll ask him ...................

I think its a special oil that is naturally hygroscopic (i think)

Shep

 

[alimey4u2]

Water soluble cutting oil was vegetable based prior to synthetics.....