Selecting Suppliers

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Selecting your MRF supplier is an important decision.

Metal removal fluids are quite complex, and they can be applied to a wide variety of machining and grinding operations. You should be able to depend on your supplier for help in choosing and maintaining the fluids appropriate to the needs of your shop.

What your supplier
should provide

Additional programs a supplier may offer

Making sure your requirements will be met

How should I choose a supplier?

You should choose a supplier who can

provide consistent product quality

provide good technical support

comply with a quality-management program such as ISO 9001 or QS 9000

What kind of technical support should the supplier be able to provide?

Supplier Selection and Support: Your supplier should be able to do the following:

recommend the fluids appropriate to the needs and specifications of the processes and equipment, e.g., filtration systems, in your shop

know the interrelationship of the MRF to machine lubricants such as way oils, hydraulic oils, and in-process metal cleaners

assist you in managing your fluids to prolong their useful life and to avoid performance-reducing contamination

In addition, some suppliers provide programs such as

a chemical or fluid management program

a customer support program

a product stewardship program

These programs generally include environmental and safety and health support. This support may include information on the proper use and disposal of products, current and comprehensive health and safety information required by OSHA’s hazard communication standard (labels and material safety data sheets), and recommendations for effective fluid management.

The supplier should be able to assure you that its products satisfy applicable governmental safety and environmental regulatory considerations.

How can I be sure that the supplier’s products will perform to my requirements?

Selection of a metal removal fluid is based on laboratory data, process conditions and production testing of the fluid. Once an acceptable fluid has been identified, a supplier that is certified to ISO 9001, QS 9000, or comparable quality-management program, can be expected to provide that same fluid in a consistent manner. That supplier has documented procedures in place to ensure that the particular product conforms to the specified requirements.