Additional Information

• Metalworking Additives Brochure

Frequently Asked Questions about Metalworking Additives

1. What are metalworking additives and why are they important?

Metalworking additives improve cutting, forming, grinding, and quenching performance by reducing friction, wear, heat, and corrosion—enhancing both tool life and surface finish.

2. What types of metalworking additives does Functional Products Inc. offer?

FUNCTIONAL brand metalworking additives include sulfur carriers, phosphorus carriers, solid lubricants, viscosity modifiers, tackifiers, antimisting additives, quench oil packages, slideway/way oil additives, emulsifying packages, rust preventives, and defoamers/demulsifiers.

3. Are Functional metalworking additives REACH and ISO certified?

Yes. All products are REACH-registered, GHS-compliant, and manufactured under ISO 9001:2015 (with design) standards in Macedonia, Ohio, USA.

4. Are these additives compatible with synthetic or biobased oils?

Yes — most Functional additives work in PAO, PAG, ester, Group I–III, and vegetable oil base stocks.

5. Are Functional additives ashless and non-corrosive?

Yes — most use sulfur, phosphorus, and nitrogen (S/P/N) chemistry that’s ashless, metal-free, and copper-passivated.

6. Do any Functional metalworking additives meet food-grade or Ecolabel requirements?

Yes — products such as CERAMAX, DM-400, DF-400, and CI-426EP are NSF HX-1 or Ecolabel-listed for use in environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs). Many existing options can be adapted to meet the certifications while retaining their performance and key benefits.

7. How are Functional’s metalworking additives typically used?

They’re blended into cutting oils, forming fluids, quench oils, and coolants at 0.1–3% treat rate, depending on base oil and target performance.

8. What are sulfur carriers and why are they used?

Sulfur carriers provide extreme-pressure (EP) protection by forming a protective sulfide film that prevents seizure during heavy-duty metal forming.

9. What is FUNCTIONAL EP-203?

EP-203 is a 38% total sulfur olefin sulfide additive, copper-safe and passivated for use in broaching, tapping, drawing, and extrusion oils.

10. What makes EP-203 different from conventional sulfurized fats?

It delivers higher activity, lower odor, lower color, and better copper corrosion control (1B rating) while maintaining strong EP performance.

11. What role does phosphorus play in metalworking lubricants?

Phosphorus provides antiwear and mild EP performance, forming a durable phosphate film that protects metal surfaces at moderate temperature and load.

12. What are Functional’s phosphorus carriers?

Key products include CI-426EP, CI-426, CI-427, AW-116, and AW-354, ranging from 3.6–9% phosphorus content.

13. What’s the difference between neutral and acidic amine phosphates?

Neutral phosphates (like CI-426) emphasize rust and wear control; mildly acidic versions (like AW-116) offer higher EP load for cutting and gear oils.

14. Are these phosphorus carriers ashless and non-staining?

Yes — all are metal-free, non-staining amine phosphates suitable for ferrous and nonferrous metal applications.

15. Are Functional phosphorus additives food-grade?

Yes — CI-426, CI-427, AW-116, and CI-426EP are NSF HX-1 registered for incidental food-contact lubricants.

16. What is CERAMAX?

A boron nitride–based solid lubricant offering high-temperature, non-staining lubrication superior to graphite or MoS₂.

17. What forms does CERAMAX come in?

It’s available as a powder (CERAMAX), paste (CERAMAX Paste), and liquid dispersion for greases, coatings, and forming fluids.

18. What makes boron nitride unique in metalworking applications?

It’s chemically inert, white, thermally stable up to 1000°C, and ideal for anti-seize, drawing, and extrusion lubricants.

19. Is CERAMAX food-safe or NSF certified?

Yes — all CERAMAX grades are NSF HX-1 approved for incidental food contact.

20. Why use viscosity modifiers in metalworking fluids?

They boost film thickness, lubricity, and load-carrying capacity in low-viscosity machining oils.

21. Which viscosity modifiers does Functional recommend?

V-158FN and V-166 (OCP), V-731 and V-739 (EPO), V-508M (biobased esters), and V-840 (water/glycol systems).

22. What makes V-731 and V-739 unique?

They are EPO polymers with high flash points and shear stability, ideal for high-speed grinding or quench formulations.

23. Which VM is best for biobased or ester-based fluids?

V-508M, a biobased ester-soluble polymer, delivers strong film formation in sustainable lubricants.

24. What are tackifiers used for in metalworking fluids?

They improve cling and adhesion, preventing oil fling-off from high-speed tools and enhancing film retention on vertical surfaces.

25. Which tackifiers does Functional offer?

V-178 (PIB-based for petroleum oils), V-584 (biobased ester), and V-802 (aqueous, dual-purpose tackifier/antimist). If you’re already using a product from industrial lubes like V-176 or grease like V-177 we can help you adapt that product into your metalworking formulas so you only need to buy one tackifier.

26. Can tackifiers improve both oil and water-based lubricants?

Yes — V-802 or MW-612 enhances film strength and reduces mist in aqueous and semi-synthetic coolants. Compare these with a traditional petroleum-based antimist like V-162 to see which works best in your concentrates and finished formulations.

27. Why use antimisting additives like V-162 or MW-612?

They reduce fine oil aerosol formation, minimizing inhalation hazards and mist carryover in cutting and grinding operations.

28. What are quench oil packages used for?

They control cooling speed and oxidation during metal hardening processes.

29. What are Functional’s quench packages?

Q-145 (economic), Q-249 (premium), and V-731 (EPO quench accelerator).

30. How does V-731 enhance quench oils?

At 2% treat, it increases cooling speed and hardness uniformity while improving oxidation stability.

31. What are way or slideway oil additives?

They reduce stick-slip, noise, and wear on machine tool slides and spindles.

32. What makes WA-64 and WA-60SF different?

WA-64: Standard GM LS-2 way oil package.
WA-60SF: Sulfur-free, low-color option safe for yellow metals and precision equipment.

33. Can tackifiers be used with way oil packages?

Yes — adding PIB-based tackifiers like V-178 improves adhesion and coolant resistance.

34. What are emulsifying packages used for?

They stabilize oil-in-water emulsions in cutting and grinding oils while providing AW and EP properties.

35. What emulsifying additives does Functional offer?

RD-350 (petroleum rock drill), RD-540 (biobased emulsifying), and SGP-563 (Ecolabel saw guide package).

36. What is the difference between RD-540 and RD-540CP?

RD-540: Emulsifying type for air tools.
RD-540CP: Demulsifying variant for closed or water-separating systems.

37. Why use rust preventive packages in metalworking?

They protect freshly machined parts from oxidation and corrosion during storage or shipping.

38. What are Functional’s rust preventive options?

RO-100 (R&O oils) and RO-135 (spray concentrate). Amine phosphates CI-426/CI-427 can also boost rust protection.

39. What do defoamers and demulsifiers do in metalworking fluids?

Defoamers remove surface foam and entrained air; demulsifiers separate oil and water to prevent coolant instability.

40. Which defoamers and demulsifiers does Functional recommend?

DF-400 (silicone-based, NSF HX-1), DF-500 (acrylate-based for esters/veg oils), DM-240 (PAG demulsifier), and DM-400 (EAL/HX-1 demulsifier).

41. How can I request samples or technical data for metalworking additives?

Contact us to sample for any EP, CI, CERAMAX, V, Q, AW, GA, or RD Series product. Our TDS and SDS are found in the Literature section.