Water-miscible metal working fluids with reduced aerosol inhalation toxicity

摘要

The present invention provides a process for producing a water-miscible metalworking fluid by combining water, and additives chosen from plasticizers, chelating agents, biocides, surfactants, dispersants, dyes, odorants, extreme pressure agents, anti-oxidants and corrosion inhibitors with a polyether polyol produced by mixing an active hydrogen compound with a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst in a reactor vessel, charging to the reactor vessel a mixture containing two or more alkylene oxides to activate the catalyst and continuously feeding one or more alkylene oxides to produce the polyether polyol, wherein a 1% solution in water of the polyether polyol has a cloud point of greater than about 32° C., the equivalent weight of the polyether polyol is greater than about 1,000 Da, and a four-hour aerosol inhalation exposure to the polyether polyol has a LC₅₀ of greater than about 0.50 mg/L. The water-miscible metalworking fluid produced by the inventive process may find use in cooling and/or lubricating metal surfaces during one or more of grinding, cutting, boring, drilling and turning of metal parts.