Metalworking fluids are an emulsion of oil in water. The emulsion stability goes down with increased harness ions such as calcium and magnesium. Typical tests for emulsion stability involve the determination of oil losses due to dilution of water with specified harness over 24 hours. This test is impractical for daily operations and the researchers proposed using a turbidity test that takes only ten minutes. The short time allows for the manufacturers to monitor stability in real time rather than knowing what yesterday's stability was the next day with the standard test.

No abstract