Tapping Performance by Use of Strong Alkali Ion Water

The authors have been conducting a research to apply strong alkali ion water (pH12 or so) to a working fluid for material removal processing. This is to cope with various problems relating to the existing water-soluble working fluid such as coolant putridity and the associated deterioration of factory environments and increased disposal costs of working fluids as well as to improve machining efficiency and tool life. In this study, the strong alkali ion water was applied to the tapping (M10) of stainless steel (SUS440C). As a result, use of the strong alkali ion water was found to contribute to the tool life improvement.