The Phase Control concept was another first for Houghton developed in 1989. It has since become the most powerful concept in metalworking coolants with some of the world's largest manufacturers including Ford and Daimler Chrysler using Phase Control in central systems varying in capacity from a few thousand to a million litres.

Automotive applications include machining and grinding of all main engine components from aluminium cylinder heads to cast iron crankshafts.

Our latest developments include Hocut TR2000 mineral oil-free products which also incorporate compatible or congruent vegetable based hydraulics and lubricants. These products offer sustainable technology for the environment and major cost savings for your manufacturing process.

Concept

The concept of Phase Control coolant employs two concentrates, one to provide the oil phase - or metalcutting capability - while a second provides the water phase - or long life capability. The use of unnecessary additives is avoided and we are then able to top up only the part of the emulsion which is depleted.

This simple idea opens up a whole range of benefits to the central system end user in terms of reduced tooling costs, longer life, safety in use and dramatically reduced coolant usage.

Benefits

• Very high lubricity oil phase gives maximum tool life
• Sustainable technology based on renewable resources
• Low in use concentrations
• Greatly reduced top up costs, typically 30% saving
• Oil phase is non-hazardous and can be used safely at any concentration
• One product for all plant applications
• Two phase product provides very long sump life in central systems
• Accurately controls balance of additives and emulsion condition as coolant ages in use
• Very low air entrainment properties Phase Control coolants give a range of performance, safety, cost and environmental advantages.

The advanced technology differs from conventional single-phase soluble oils in being supplied in the form of two concentrates which can be mixed separately as required. The technology is the most powerful and cost efficient coolant technology available to central system users.

Phase Control employs a package of two concentrates comprising of a lubricity or oil phase used at a concentration to give optimum machining performance and a biostable or water phase used at a concentration to maximise sump life and corrosion protection.

Oil phase concentration is completely variable depending upon the application. Water phase concentration is normally kept standard for all systems depending on water quality. In this way, one basic coolant product can be used for all machining and grinding operations in the plant.

The Phase Control package gives ultimate coolant control by ensuring that the balance of active constituents in the emulsion can be maintained at all times. Oil and water phases are controlled independently with separate additions of each phase maintaining the additive balance. This maximises cutting performance and minimises top-up costs.