1070 – 02 – The Physics of Cutting Fluid Part 1

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Understanding the forces at work when you’re cutting can help shed some light on why cutting fluid is key to making a successful, efficient cut.

Cutting metal requires a lot of energy, and much of that energy is lost in the form of heat, which is caused by friction. When it comes to sawing, friction is caused by the blade grinding against the material. Here’s an example of friction in our every day environment:

When you hit the breaks while driving, you’re able to stop because of the friction between your break pads and tires. Your wheels might even feel warm because of how much friction was generated by the stop.

Metal cutting is a similar process. When metal chips form, the workpiece begins to release heat. This is where cutting fluid comes in. It absorbs the heat and carriers it away from the workpiece.