Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of liquid carbon dioxide (LCO 2 ) on grinding of stainless steel. Design/methodology/approach -A factorial experimental approach was used to compare the LCO 2 's performance against grinding under dry air and emulsion coolants. Findings -The experimental results have a great use to practitioners. It was found that under special conditions, LCO 2 proves to be an alternative coolant for grinding of temperature sensitive materials. Furthermore, grinding under LCO 2 conditions produced the lowest tangential force, while the normal forces were close to the values found under emulsion fluid environment. When compared to grinding under dry conditions, LCO 2 coolant was successful in reducing the work piece temperatures. LCO 2 and emulsion conditions inhibit work hardening by reducing material deformation at the grinding zone. Originality/value -The paper shows that sub-zero temperature coolants have the ability to bring about lower grinding temperatures than what is typically achieved under conventional fluids.