Coolant Solutions at a Glance
Choosing the right coolant is critical for maintaining specimen integrity and ensuring
optimal equipment performance. Rust inhibitors exist in two forms:
- Additive-based liquids – simple concentrates poured into plain water. They create a thin protective layer but provide only short-term rust resistance, limited lubrication, and degrade quickly.
- Engineered coolants – fully formulated fluids that combine corrosion inhibitors, lubricity agents, surfactants, and biocides. They deliver extended rust protection, stable cooling, and longer tank life.
Role of Coolants in Sectioning
Coolants are essential not only for rust prevention but also for managing heat and preserving microstructure during cutting. Cutting without the use of appropriate coolant can lead to various issues, including:
- Thermal damage or phase transformations: Excessive heat can alter metals microstructure, leading to inaccurate analysis.
- Unintentional tempering in steels: Heat accumulation can soften hardened steel, weakening hardness profiles.
- Smearing in soft metals: Soft metals like aluminum or copper may smear without lubrication, obscuring grain boundaries.
- Lubrication: Reduces friction and wear on cutting wheels, extending tool life.
- Debris flushing. Prevents clogging and ensures clean cuts by removing swarf and chips.
- Consistent cutting conditions. Maintains temperature stability and uniform cutting pressure, improving reproducibility.
Types of Coolants
Water-Based
Water-based coolants are the most common type used in laboratories. They are economical and effective for working with steel, aluminum, and general alloys. Proper mixing and maintenance are essential to prevent corrosion and bacterial growth.
Water-based coolants are the most common type used in laboratories. They are economical and effective for working with steel, aluminum, and general alloys. Proper mixing and maintenance are essential to prevent corrosion and bacterial growth.
Oil-Based
Provides superior lubrication and smoother cuts. It is ideal for hard, brittle, or delicate materials such as ceramics and carbides. However, it is less convenient due to messiness, cleaning difficulty, and residue buildup.
Provides superior lubrication and smoother cuts. It is ideal for hard, brittle, or delicate materials such as ceramics and carbides. However, it is less convenient due to messiness, cleaning difficulty, and residue buildup.
Glycol / Synthetic Blends
Designed for high-speed saws and recirculating systems, it is chemically stable, low-foaming, and resistant to bacterial growth. However, it is more expensive and requires precise dilution control.
Designed for high-speed saws and recirculating systems, it is chemically stable, low-foaming, and resistant to bacterial growth. However, it is more expensive and requires precise dilution control.
Specialty Formulations
Engineered for professional metallography. Offer low foaming, strong corrosion resistance, long service life, and consistent performance across various materials.
Engineered for professional metallography. Offer low foaming, strong corrosion resistance, long service life, and consistent performance across various materials.
Advantages of Amber Colour vs Blue Coolants
The natural amber colour of engineered coolants from Anamet Products offers several
functional advantages over traditionally dyed blue coolants.
- Transparency—Amber translucency allows operators to monitor coolant flow, wheel contact, and specimen visibility during cutting and within recirculation tanks.
- No Added Dye – Amber fluids reflect their natural formulation when blue coolants rely on artificial dyes for coloration. These dyes offer no performance benefit, may stain tanks and components, and can degrade under heat or UV exposure.
- Condition Monitoring—The clarity of amber coolants allows technicians to detect early signs of degradation, such as cloudiness, bacterial growth, or chemical breakdown issues that blue dye can conceal.
- Professional Image—Amber coloration signals a purpose-built formulation focused on high performance rather than cosmetic appeal.
Best Practices for Laboratories
- ATargeted Flow: Direct coolant precisely at the cutting zone to maximize heat dissipation and debris removal.
- Dilution Control: Follow manufacturer-recommended dilution ratios and verify concentration regularly.
- Scheduled Replacement: Regularly change coolant to prevent bacterial growth, chemical breakdown, and reduced effectiveness.
- Monitor Warning Signs – Watch for overheating, specimen smearing, or wheel discolouration to indicate coolant failure.
Quick Diagnostic Cues
- Sweet/chemical odor → May indicate glycol-based coolant overheating or chemical breakdown.
- Burnt oil smell → Suggests oil-based coolant overheating, poor flow, or inadequate lubrication.
- Rancid odour → Signals bacterial contamination in water-based coolants; immediate replacement is required.