Assessing the quality of lubricants using a reduction capacity test

Lubricants play a vital role in the success of metal working operations. Economy can be improved by using the optimum lubricant to give the maximum possible single stage reduction without an appreciable increase in deformation force. The quality of different lubricants for a given application must be assessed, using a test method which stimulates the operating conditions. Most metal forming operations employ compressive stresses for deformation. In this article the authors describe a tool design to evaluate lubricants under such conditions. Using these tools, tests were conducted on aluminium sheet in a 100t hydraulic press. The experimental results are presented. © 1977.