Coolant is a fluid used in drilling to cool and lubricate the cutting area, reducing heat caused by friction between the drill bit and the workpiece.
This helps prevent tool wear, maintains accuracy, and improves hole surface finish. It also acts as a lubricant to reduce cutting forces and mechanical wear.
Additionally, coolant flushes out chips and debris, ensuring smoother drilling, extending tool life, and often providing corrosion protection for both the workpiece and machine parts(Purpose Of Coolant – What Is It And Main Functions of Coolant, n.d.).
Using coolants and lubricants during drilling offers several benefits, such as reducing friction, preventing tool and workpiece damage, minimizing overheating, and improving surface finish.
They also help remove chips and protect against corrosion. When choosing the right lubricant, consider factors like drilling speed, workpiece material, and lubricant type especially for high-speed operations or hard metals that generate more heat.
Common forms include oils, sprays, and cutting pastes. Selecting the appropriate coolant or lubricant ensures better performance and longer tool life(The Role of Coolants and Lubricants in Drilling, 2024).
The difference between a tool lasting one hour or one month often comes down to proper coolant use. What are the key factors you consider when choosing the right type of coolant (synthetic, oil-based, etc.) for a specific drilling material?
Reference:
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Purpose Of Coolant—What Is It And Main Functions of Coolant. (n.d.). Retrieved October 1, 2025, from https://cncmarket.ca/press/article/coolant/purpose-of-coolant/
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The Role of Coolants and Lubricants in Drilling. (2024, February 13). Ruwag SA. https://ruwag.co.za/blogs/news/the-role-of-coolants-and-lubricants-in-drilling
