Eco-efficiency of Alternative and Conventional Cutting Fluids in External Cylindrical Grinding

Grinding is a common finishing process to meet specific technological requirements such as a specific surface roughness or a high geometrical accuracy. The achievements of these requirements are influenced by the workpiece properties, the process parameters and different enabling factors. One of these enablers is the cutting fluid. The fluid type and composition has a major impact on the grinding process and therefore on the overall technological, environmental and economic impact of the product. This paper presents an approach to evaluate the environmental and cost influence of alternative and conventional cutting fluids in grinding by calculating their impact and eco-efficiency.