Resumen de Development of the microbiological population in water miscible metal working fluids

Bernhard Seidel, A.G Huesmann Cordes, A. Rabinstein, E Brinksmeier

• The deterioration of metal working fluids (MWFs) due to the microbial colonization and degradation is a considerable economic factor in the metal working industry. Microorganisms (MO) are able to metabolize almost all components of MWFs and thus lead to a loss of its function by the reduction or depletion of additives. Microbial growth cannot be avoided completely, although various methods exist to reduce the bacterial load in MWFs. This paper presents a study on the colonization of MWFs by bacteria and fungi in an industrial environment. The cooling lubricants have been periodically examined based on biological and chemical methods. The level of the total bacterial load in the lubricant is considered as well as the composition of the species community and its development over the evaluation period. With regard to the increasing relevance of environment friendly processes, a conventional mineral oil based MWF has been compared to a product based on renewable resources.