EP Additives, Corrosion Inhibitors, Emulsifiers & Defoamers for Cutting, Grinding & Forming Fluids
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Metalworking Fluid Additives from CheMost
Metalworking fluid (MWF) additives are functional chemical components blended into cutting oils, grinding fluids, rolling oils, and forming lubricants to manage friction, heat, corrosion, and biological growth during metal fabrication. CheMost’s additive components for metalworking fluids are drawn from our existing product lines — including EP/AW additives, corrosion inhibitors, emulsifiers, and defoamers — adapted to the specific performance requirements of machining operations.
MWF additive selection depends primarily on the fluid system type (neat oil vs water-based) and the metalworking operation (cutting, grinding, forming). Water-based systems require multifunctional additive packages that balance lubrication, corrosion protection, biological stability, and foam control simultaneously. This page is the product catalog for our MWF components; for the five formulation challenges, the ferrous-vs-non-ferrous EP decision guide and the MWF test battery, see the Metalworking Fluid Additives industry hub.
EP & Antiwear Additives
Reduce friction and tool wear under high-pressure cutting. CheMost supplies sulfurized and phosphate-ester EP; active sulfur is matched to the metal (avoided on copper/brass). Critical for difficult-to-machine alloys (stainless, titanium, Inconel). Chlorinated paraffins, though still used industry-wide, are increasingly restricted and are not part of our range.
Corrosion Inhibitors
Protect both workpiece metal (ferrous, non-ferrous) and machine-tool surfaces from rust and staining. Amine-based and carboxylate inhibitors are common in water-based systems; benzotriazole / tolyltriazole protect yellow metals. Functionality must hold across working pH 8.5–9.5.
Emulsifiers
Enable stable oil-in-water emulsions in soluble and semi-synthetic fluids. Must hold emulsion stability against hard water, contamination, and temperature fluctuation throughout the fluid’s service life.
Defoamers
Silicone-fluid and polyacrylate defoamers prevent foam buildup that reduces cooling efficiency and fluid coverage in high-flow recirculating systems. Polyacrylate types are silicone-free for hard-water emulsions and high-surfactant semi-synthetics.
Product Range at a Glance
CheMost MWF components by function. Treat rates are typical levels in the finished fluid / concentrate; confirmed values for any grade are on its TDS, and emulsion and corrosion behaviour must be confirmed at your working dilution and water hardness.
| Function | Chemistry | Role | Typical level | Metal / fluid fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP / antiwear | sulfurized ester · phosphate ester | tool-chip lubricity, anti-seizure | ~1–5% | ferrous (active S) · non-ferrous (phosphate) |
| Corrosion inhibitor | amine carboxylate · borate · triazole | ferrous rust + yellow-metal protection | ~2–8% | water-based, pH 8.5–9.5 |
| Emulsifier | anionic + nonionic | oil-in-water emulsion stability | ~5–15% | soluble · semi-synthetic |
| Defoamer | silicone / polyacrylate | sump foam control | ~0.1–0.5% | water-based, high-flow |
Biocides and pH buffers complete a soluble-oil package; biocides are a regulated category we advise on and can help source rather than manufacture, and we state that clearly.
Application by Fluid Type
Metalworking fluid systems have distinct additive requirements based on their water content and intended operation:
Neat Cutting & Grinding Oils
100% oil-based fluids for severe machining of difficult alloys. Primary requirements: sulfurized EP additives, antiwear agents, metal deactivators. No emulsifier or biocide needed. CheMost’s EP additive and corrosion inhibitor lines apply directly.
Soluble Oils (Emulsion, 3–10%)
Oil-in-water emulsions providing both lubrication and cooling. Require anionic or nonionic emulsifiers, corrosion inhibitors for both iron and non-ferrous metals, pH buffers, and biocide systems. Most common fluid type in general machining.
Semi-Synthetic Fluids
Low-oil or oil-free formulations with higher synthetic content. Better cooling than soluble oils, lower biological risk, improved part cleanliness. Require more sophisticated corrosion inhibitor and lubricity additive packages.
Rolling & Forming Lubricants
Used in steel and aluminum rolling mills, tube drawing, and stamping. Emphasis on lubricity (friction modifiers, fatty acid esters) and cleanliness (leaving minimal residue on rolled strip). Rust inhibitor systems protect strip between rolling passes.
Key Additive Selection Factors
When selecting metalworking fluid additives, three factors dominate the specification decision:
Metal Type
- Ferrous metals (steel, cast iron): amine-based and carboxylate corrosion inhibitors; sulfurized EP additives acceptable
- Non-ferrous (aluminum, copper, brass): avoid active sulfur and chlorinated EP; use fatty acid-based EP and specific non-ferrous inhibitors
- Mixed-metal systems: require inhibitors with broad-spectrum coverage and careful EP chemistry selection
Operation Severity
- Light turning/milling: low EP demand, emphasis on cooling and corrosion protection
- Heavy-duty cutting/grinding: high EP and AW additive content; sulfurized or phosphate ester chemistry
- Difficult alloys (titanium, Inconel, hardened steel): maximum EP loading; specialty lubricity additives
Treat-Rate Guidance & Documentation
MWF additives are dosed into the concentrate, then diluted 10–40× at the machine — so the at-machine concentration is far lower than the concentrate levels above. Emulsion and corrosion behaviour are fluid- and water-specific, so confirm at your working dilution and dilution-water hardness before production.
Every commercial shipment carries a TDS (active content, viscosity, flash point, treat-rate range), a GHS SDS, and a per-batch COA. For selected EP additives the TDS includes ASTM D130 (copper-strip corrosion) and ASTM D1662 (active sulfur) data. A Certificate of Origin is provided for export, and available ASTM bench data can be supplied on request during qualification.
How to Order
CheMost supplies these MWF components factory-direct from Jinzhou. Standard stocked components (EP additives, emulsifiers, rust and corrosion inhibitors, defoamers) ship within 7–14 business days of order confirmation. Minimum order is typically 200 kg (one drum) for most liquid components; some specialty items have IBC (1,000 kg) minimums. Free 1–5 kg evaluation samples are available for qualified fluid manufacturers. Send your fluid architecture (neat / soluble / semi-synthetic / forming), metal substrate, dilution-water hardness and the tests you must pass, and we will recommend a component set with starting treat rates and supply samples to confirm at working dilution.
This is the product catalog for CheMost MWF components. For the chemistry behind the choices — the five MWF formulation challenges, the metal-substrate & EP decision guide, the test battery (cast-iron chip, humidity cabinet, Four-Ball, foam, emulsion) and biostability management — see the Metalworking Fluid Additives industry hub. The same components appear in the Additive Components catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of additives does a typical metalworking fluid contain?
A water-based metalworking fluid (soluble oil) typically contains: base oil (mineral or ester, 30–80%); emulsifier system (anionic + nonionic, 5–15%); corrosion inhibitor (amine carboxylates or borates, 2–8%); EP/AW additives (sulfurized or phosphate, 1–5%); biocide (0.05–0.3%); defoamer (0.1–0.5%); and pH buffer (MEA, TEA, or DCHA). Each additive must be compatible with the others and must not destabilize the emulsion.
What is the difference between soluble oils and semi-synthetic fluids?
Soluble oils (also called emulsifiable oils) contain 50–80% mineral oil and form a milky emulsion with water at 3–10% dilution. They provide good lubrication and moderate cooling. Semi-synthetic fluids contain <30% oil along with synthetic lubricity agents (esters, polyalkylene glycols). They are clearer in use, provide better cooling, have lower microbial risk, and often leave less residue on machined parts. Semi-synthetics are increasingly preferred in precision machining and clean-room operations.
Which EP additives are used in metalworking fluids?
The main EP additive chemistries in MWFs are: sulfurized esters and fats (active sulfur reacts at the tool-chip interface to prevent seizure); chlorinated paraffins (effective but increasingly restricted for environmental reasons — not part of the CheMost range); phosphate esters (used in aerospace and non-ferrous applications where sulfur is unacceptable); and boron-containing additives (used in water-based systems for combined EP and corrosion protection). CheMost supplies sulfurized and phosphate-ester EP; selection depends on metal substrate, regulatory requirements, and the specific machining operation.
How do you control corrosion in water-based metalworking fluids?
Corrosion control in water-based MWFs operates on two levels: system pH (maintained at 8.5–9.5 using amine buffers — alkaline conditions inhibit iron corrosion kinetics) and film-forming inhibitors (amine carboxylates, borates, or triazoles adsorb onto metal surfaces to block electrochemical attack). For non-ferrous metals (especially copper and its alloys), benzotriazole (BTA) or tolyltriazole (TTA) derivatives are added specifically. Regular concentration checks and pH monitoring are essential for in-service fluid management.
Do you supply biocides for soluble-oil sumps?
Biocides are the leading control for sump biostability (bacterial / fungal growth that drops pH, causes odour and corrodes parts), but they are a regulated additive category. CheMost’s manufactured range covers the emulsifier, corrosion and pH-stable inhibitor chemistry; for the biocide itself we advise on selection and can help source rather than manufacture, and we state that clearly. The most effective lever is usually a robust, bioresistant base formulation plus disciplined tankside management (tramp-oil skimming, concentration and pH control).
Can I use additives from your lubricant range directly in a water-based fluid?
There is significant overlap, but water compatibility must be confirmed. CheMost’s EP additives, rust and corrosion inhibitors from the lubricant line apply to MWF formulation at adjusted treat rates; however, they are formulated for oil-phase solubility, so in water-based fluids they must be solubilised in the emulsion oil phase and tested at working dilution. Some additives can destabilise an oil-in-water emulsion or contribute foam at high treat rates — bench emulsion and foam tests at full working dilution are the required first step before production.
What are the minimum order quantities, packaging and lead times?
Minimum order is typically 200 kg (one drum) for most liquid components; some specialty items have IBC (1,000 kg) minimums. Standard stocked components ship within 7–14 business days of order confirmation. Free 1–5 kg evaluation samples are available for qualified fluid manufacturers. Contact us with the product, quantity and destination port for a specific lead-time and pricing confirmation; documentation (TDS, SDS, COA, Certificate of Origin) ships with every order.
Inquire About MWF Additive Components
CheMost supplies individual additive components — EP additives, corrosion inhibitors, emulsifiers, and defoamers — that are building blocks for metalworking fluid formulations. Contact our technical team to discuss component availability, treat-rate guidance, and compatibility data for your specific fluid system.
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