Areas of Application for MQL

In the early days of minimum quantity lubrication (MQL), it was mostly limited to a few processes and materials. Gray cast iron was particularly preferred because of the relatively high proportion of graphite, which has comparable properties to a lubricant. Then as now, aluminum or iron were also suitable for the use of MQL-systems. Today, however, even materials that are difficult to machine (i.e. process martensitic chrome steels) can be processed using MQL.

The table below provides information about the possible choice of the cooling-lubrication method depending on the machining process and the material used. This clearly shows that many areas of application are suitable for minimum quantity lubrication.

Material / Method	Aluminum		Steel		Cast Iron
	Cast Alloy	Wrought Alloy	High-Alloy Steels	Free Cutting Steel
Drilling	MQL	MQL	MQL	Dry	Dry
Rubbing	MQL	MQL	MQL	MQL	MQL
Threading	MQL	MQL	MQL	MQL	MQL
Thread Forming	MQL	MQL	MQL	MQL	MQL
Deep Drilling	MQL	MQL		MQL	MQL
Milling	Dry	MQL	Dry	Dry	Dry
Lathing	MQL / Dry	MQL / Dry	Dry	Dry	Dry
Hobbing			Dry	Dry	Dry
Sawing	MQL	MQL	MQL	MQL	MQL
Clearing			MQL	MQL / Dry

The areas of application for our minimal quantity lubrication technology systems largely coincide with those of conventional lubrication-cooling solutions, e.g.

• sawing
• cutting
• milling
• drilling
• lathing
• profiling
• etc.

For technical reasons, MQL-technology is most effective when the tools have a defined, symmetrical cutting edge, e.g. when drilling, sawing or milling. In principle, geometrically undefined cutting surfaces, such as those found in grinding and honing machines, are less suitable for minimal lubrication technology. These latter methods are nowadays mostly implemented using conventional flood lubrication, which, in addition to the cooling and friction-reducing effect, ensures that the chips are removed from the work area. Processes in which lubrication is a priority are generally more suitable for MQL-technology.