Coolant Reactions

[JPigg55]

I'm getting ready to start building Terry Wermer's "No Fog Mister" (http://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/no-fog-coolant-mister.19957/). I'm also going to add a vacuum system for both chip removal/collection and coolant fog removal since my shop is very small and want to minimize breathing the fog when using coolants and cutting fluids.
One question I have is are there potential issues of a reaction when different coolants/cutting fluids get mixed ???
I'd hate to burn down my shop because of a chemical reaction I could avoid.

 

[TomS]

I'm getting ready to start building Terry Wermer's "No Fog Mister" (http://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/no-fog-coolant-mister.19957/). I'm also going to add a vacuum system for both chip removal/collection and coolant fog removal since my shop is very small and want to minimize breathing the fog when using coolants and cutting fluids.
One question I have is are there potential issues of a reaction when different coolants/cutting fluids get mixed ???
I'd hate to burn down my shop because of a chemical reaction I could avoid.

I'm not a chemist but have been involved in machining for the better part of 45 years. I am not aware of any dangerous reactions when using commercially available coolants or cutting fluids. Not to say that someone may have a "home brew" that will cause problems. However, using a vacuum system to collect fumes is a good idea. Breathing that stuff can be unhealthy.

Tom S.

 

[RJSakowski]

I'm getting ready to start building Terry Wermer's "No Fog Mister" (http://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/no-fog-coolant-mister.19957/). I'm also going to add a vacuum system for both chip removal/collection and coolant fog removal since my shop is very small and want to minimize breathing the fog when using coolants and cutting fluids.
One question I have is are there potential issues of a reaction when different coolants/cutting fluids get mixed ???
I'd hate to burn down my shop because of a chemical reaction I could avoid.

It is hard to determine the effects in general without knowing all possible combinations but IMO, having a degree in chemistry, I would believe the risk is very low.

The only issue that I know of was the reaction of trichloroethylene used in some tapping fluids and aluminum. If it was mistakenly used, smoke would come up from the tapped hole. While there was little chance of a fire, the fumes would include hydrochloric acid. However, trichloroethylene has been banned by the EPA for many years so the chance of such an encounter are very low.