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Many people in the machinery industry come into contact with various types of cutting fluids in the workshop. The occurrence of an unpleasant odor from these cutting fluids is a common phenomenon. Today, I will briefly explain to you some things regarding the odor produced by cutting fluids. Why does cutting fluid smell bad? Many friends are unaware of the reasons why cutting fluid smells bad; in fact, the root cause of this odor is the growth of bacteria. These bacteria are diverse; they are generally anaerobic and prefer oil. Therefore, emulsions and semi-synthetic cutting fluids are particularly prone to deterioration. When the machine tools are not in use during holidays or when it’s hot, bacteria multiply exponentially, reducing sulfates and releasing hydrogen sulfide gas with a rotten egg smell – and this is what causes the odor. Typically, the deterioration process starts with a slight foul odor – the appearance turns gray-brown – the pH value decreases – the rust prevention properties worsen – the emulsion breaks down and separates, resulting in floating oil – the performance of the cutting fluid declines – large amounts of sludge are formed, causing the filters to get clogged – hydrogen sulfide gas is released, deteriorating the working environment. You can match it to see what stage your cutting fluid is currently in The hazards of foul-smelling cutting fluids: Contaminated cutting fluids have been found to contain organisms such as Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas oleovorans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, among others. You can imagine what the consequences would be if these bacteria adhered to workers’ bodies, and if they weren’t washed off, ended up in their stomachs, or were taken home and spread to children Additionally, the toxic fumes released will also have a severe impact on anyone who smells them, making it extremely dangerous. Solutions to the problem of cutting fluid becoming smelly: Once the cutting fluid starts to smell bad, it is necessary to take action to address the issue right away. That involves adding a bactericide and aerating the liquid at the same time; it would be good if the bacteria can be controlled. If you can’t control the overpopulation of bacteria, there’s no need to think about it – just replace them. How to prevent cutting fluid from smelling bad? Actually, the principle is the same as when we get sick; to truly cure an illness, it’s best to take preventive measures in advance. How to prevent cutting fluid from becoming foul-smelling due to problems? First, prevent oil leakage from the machine tool from contaminating the cutting fluid as much as possible. Second, regularly monitor the pH value of the cutting fluid and keep it within the range of 8 to 10. Third, during long periods of shutdown or holidays, please fill the water tank with air or oxygen. Fourth, replenish the cutting fluid concentrate in a timely manner and maintain proper concentration control. Fifth, ensure proper chip removal to prevent sludge accumulation. Sixth, the water used to prepare the cutting fluid should preferably be soft water. The above are some effective measures to prevent cutting fluid from deteriorating in advance. May everyone pay attention to these details, for even the strongest dam can be destroyed by small holes over time; it’s important to take precautions beforehand. However, with the continuous advancement of technology, there is a more advanced method that can completely solve the problem of odor at its root. I’ll keep this a secret for now; stay tuned to us, and I’ll share the information with you once it’s ready.