All articles contained herein are copyright protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Unauthorized use, duplication of republication is strictly prohibited. The Dallas, Texas law firm of Sheef & Stone LLP is charged with the protection and enforcement of the intellectual property rights and interests of Industrial Consumer Advocate, Inc.

October 2011
 Why Isn't my coolant emulsifying?

May 2010
Corrosion Issues and Test Methods

October 2008
G I G O
Formulating Using Design of Experiments, Part II

December 5, 2007
MWF Certificate Course - Final Analysis
MWF Magazine provides its Top Ten List of Recommendations for improving the SME/STLE Metalworking Fluid Certification Course, and a final analysis of the course itself.

November 7, 2007
MWF Certificate Course - Day Three
D-Day is T-Day

November 6, 2007
MWF Certificate Course - Day Two
The stress begins to set in.

November 5, 2007
MWF Certificate Course - Day One
John gets straightened out on why he's there.

November 4, 2007
MWF Certificate Course - Day Zero
John makes his way to South Carolina.

August 2006
DOE or DOA
Formulating Using Design of Experiments

The articles linked below are reprinted with permission from Tribology & Lubrication Technology, the official monthly magazine of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers, a not-for-profit professional society headquartered in Park Ridge, Ill.  [MFM]

March 2009
Relationship between the presence of mycobacteria and non-mycobacteria in metalworking fluids
A case study investigating test samples to get a better understanding of the microbial population in MWF - Drs. Frederick J. Passman, Katalin Rossmoore & Leonard Rossmoore

March 2009
Challenges in formulating metal-forming fluids
A look at some of the issues with developing metal-forming fluids for specific applications and that also increase manufacturing productivity - Dr. Neil Canter

March 2009
Greater accuracy through digital refractometers
Digital refractometers take some of the confusion and possible sources of errors out of your readings - Kathy Widing

March 2009
20 minutes with... Dr. Maura Sheehan
Read this Q&A and find out Dr. Sheehan's 13-point plan for improving industrial health and safety - Thomas T. Astrene

March 2009
Selecting the ‘perfect’ metalworking fluid
Your guide to selecting the perfect MWF for you - Jerry P. Byers

March 2009
Your one-stop shop for MWF resources
See what STLE has to offer you - Thomas T. Astrene

October 2006
The mysterious world of mwf additives
Controlling mist contamination in metalworking plants - Dr. Robert Gresham

August 2006
I GET MISTY NO MORE!
Controlling mist contamination in metalworking plants - Dr. Robert Gresham

July 2006
MWF CERTIFICATION
Discover the benefits and obligations of establishing your expertise. - Michael J. McGinty

March 2006
TECHNOLOGIES IN WASTE TREATMENT OF METALWORKING FLUIDS
Comprehensive review of the various waste treatment options. - Dr. Neil Cantor

June 2006
The Basics of Metalworking Fluids
The four basic metalworking fluid classifications - Dr. Robert Gresham

March 2005
METALWORKING FLUID MIST - STRATEGIES FOR MINIMIZING EXPOSURE
A detailed  treatment of mist generation, variables, and controls - Dr. Neil Cantor

November 2003
DRY MACHINING
Uh oh.  What will we do with this magazine?  Find out why we aren't so worried just yet. - Dr. Neil Cantor

July 2006
HYDROTHERMAL OXIDATION
Elimination of oily wastes using supercritical water oxidation.

June 2006
STLE Annual Meeting
Dom's report on the 2006 annual meeting held in Calgary.

June 2005
STLE Annual Meeting
Dom's report on the annual meeting, held this year in Sin City. 

November 2005
BACK TO BASICS - PART 3
Why HLB doesn't always work

October 2005
BACK TO BASICS - PART 2
What you don't know might foam you.

July 2005
BACK TO BASICS - PART 1
The basics of water quality.

May 2005
CUTTING COSTS - PART 3
Problem Solving - 101.

March 2005
CUTTING COSTS - PART 2
Product substitutions aren't always the answer.

January 2005
CUTTING COSTS - PART 1
What happens when Marketing meets Production.

November 2004
KNOW FOAM - PART 6
Testing antifoams.

September 2004
KNOW FOAM - PART 5
The ins and outs of working with antifoams.

August 2004
KNOW FOAM - PART 4
Practical application of testing procedures in determining foam source problems.

July 2004
KNOW FOAM - PART 3
Antifoam and defoamers application on the functional level, and a step by step application of both.

March 2004
KNOW FOAM - PART 2
Case study, problem recognition, distinguishing between antifoam and defoamer and filtration issues.

January 2004
KNOW FOAM - PART 1
Introduction to the thermodynamics and chemistry of foam.

August 2003
ADVANCED FORMULATING - PART 4
Calculation and use of HLB, and combining low and high HLB surfactants.  

July 2003
ADVANCED FORMULATING - PART 3
Dermititus!

May 2003
ADVANCED FORMULATING - PART 2
Dom discusses the Sodium Petroleum Sulfonate crisis, what your options might be and what to expect from synthetic products v. natural sulfonates.

April 2003
ADVANCED FORMULATING - PART 1
This is the deep end for serious swimmers only.  All others, see the above articles. In part one of this series, Dom the Bomb addresses the difficulties the industry faces as Shell Oil exits the petroleum sulfonate business.

March 2003
CENTRAL SYSTEMS - PART 8
Identifying and controlling selective depletion.

January 2003
CENTRAL SYSTEMS - PART 7
A simple, inexpensive, yet effective way to test for microbiological contamination.

November 2002
CENTRAL SYSTEMS - PART 6
SABOTEURS!  Use skill, knowledge, and lab stuff to defend your product's reputation from medieval engineering on the shop floor.  Dom Ruggeri shows you how.

October 2002
CENTRAL SYSTEMS - PART 5
The Right Coolant for the System.  Tired of the same old coolant?  Feeling pressure from the facility interior decorator to go with a different color?  Read this before you switch.

September 2002
CENTRAL SYSTEMS - PART 4
Recycling: A cost  savings or a cost nightmare?  Dom provides a some inside-insight into one of the great mysteries of the coolant industry - does it live forever?  Most of us believe the answer depends on if you sell the stuff or recycle it.  Truth unveiled behind this link!

June 2002
CENTRAL SYSTEMS - PART 3
Dom Ruggeri explains why trouble shooting managers need more than one measurement system to identify certain system problems.  Plus, advice on how to avoid a common mistake.

February 2002
CENTRAL SYSTEMS - PART 2
Dom Ruggeri sifts through filtration systems to see what's getting through and what's not.  Systems range from the INS Model (anything can pass through it) to the IRS Model (takes away more than it should).

January 2002
CENTRAL SYSTEMS - PART 1
Dom Ruggeri begins a new series discussing the ins and outs of central systems.  Considering one?  We will share experiences with you from mud puddle to swimming pool.  There are significant differences in management and performance.

December 2001
MWF FORMULATION -PART 10 - CRITICAL SPECIFICATIONS?
You know, Dom Ruggeri is just a little too honest sometimes, don't you think?  Well, confession is good for the soul, and it is that time of year.  In the concluding article of the  Metalworking Fluid Formulation Series, Dom discusses the reality of setting specifications for products, and the how and why about it. 

October 2001
PART 9 - THE MODIFICATION GO ROUND
Dom Ruggeri deals with a tanker loaded with coolant that doesn't like water.  Learn more about the decision-making process your coolant manufacturer might be using to develop your fluid, and the difficulties surrounding customized fluid development.

September 2001
PART 8 - THE MODIFICATION GO ROUND
Dom Ruggeri blows the smoke away from the high tech decision-making process of distinguishing new products from mere product modifications.  Who makes the decision?  Maybe you do.

August 2001
PART 7 - SHOP TRIALS OF YOUR METALWORKING FLUID - THE END OR THE END USER?
Dom Ruggeri discusses some of the challenges associated with the charge-up of a new metalworking fluid.  The article is again, from the formulator's point of view, and based on experience gained in facilities just like yours.

May 2001
PART 6 - HYDROPHIL LYPOPHIL BALANCE (HLB)
Surfactants and the formulators approach to their use in the development of metalworking fluids.  Dom explores the relationship between surfactants and emulsifiers, and striking a balance in their use.

April 2001
PART 5 - IS YOUR SOLUTION THE SYNTHETIC OR THE PROBLEM?
Basics of synthetic solution formulation.  Stop the bullshit at the shop door - read this entire series and know more than your coolant salesman!

March 2001
PART 4 - SYNTHETIC WHAT?
Read this series and we guarantee you'll know more about metalworking fluids than your favorite coolant salesman. Dom Ruggeri provides an in-depth look at basic differences between Esters, Vegetable Oils, Mineral Oils, and PAO’s in their role as base stocks.

February 2001
PART 3 - SEMI OR SYNTHETIC?
Part 3 takes a look at semi-synthetic formulation and the differences between semi-synthetic and synthetic metalworking fluids.  Dom Ruggeri writes the only series ever to offer end users of metalworking fluid a fun, internet based introduction to formulation.

December 2000
PART 2 - THE CUSTOMER WANTS WHAT?
Dom continues his descriptions of experiences from the Chemist's point of view, when formulating customized metalworking fluids for customers.  Part 2 of the series, which is like none ever done before.

November 2000
PART 1 - WHAT DOES THE CUSTOMER REALLY NEED?
This is my favorite of all of Dom's articles so far.  Finally, we get an inside look at how Chemists respond to our requests for customized fluids.  It's not all qui and dart boards after all.  Part 1 of this series, which promises to be one of the best.

August 2002
EMERGENCY RX FOR CENTRAL SYSTEMS
Mobile coolant reclamation services for central systems.  This article addresses central system system maintenance from the mobile service perspective. Our thanks to Robert Picek of Lormar for this excellent contribution.

June 2002
PART 4 - RULERS, COMPUTERS, AND ATTITUDE
The adventures of the Dirty Half-Dozen.

May 2002
PART 3 - F-TROOP
F-Troop, the Wein Team to the rescue.

February 2002
PART 2 - WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE
Don't let this happen to you.

January 2002
PART 1 - WHY ME?
A low-tech, high-fun exclusive from METALWORKING FLUID MAGAZINE.  Another look from inside, this time from the perspective of the Metalworking Fluid Manager.  Compare experiences and solutions.

Summer 2000
TENNESSEE MANUFACTURING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - WRAP SHEET  (No longer Available)
WRAP Sheet is a publication of the University of Tennessee, Tennessee Manufacturing Assistance Program.  WRAP is short for Waste Reduction Assistance Program.  This special issue is dedicated to Metalworking Fluids.

May 2001
PART 5 - CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF MICROORGANISM CONTAMINATION
Part 5 of this series, Mr. Eppert turns to the issue of microorganisms and their source.  This may surprise you.

April 2001
PART 4 - CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF WATER RELATED CONTAMINATION
Part 4 of this series, Mr. Eppert looks at water related contamination from the view points of chemical effects, interacting effects, machining performance effects, and health and safety effects.

March 2001
PART 3 - CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF MACHINING PARTICULATE CONTAMINATION
Part 3 of this series, provides a clear and concise organization of the effects of particulate contamination in metalworking fluids.  This series provides an excellent training tool for use in the education of your metalworking fluid management/maintenance team.  What?  No team?  Build one!

February 2001
PART 2 - CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF TRAMP OIL CONTAMINATION
In Part 2 of this series, Joe Eppert, (graduate student, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) writes on the origins of tramp oil and the chemical effects it has on the metalworking fluid and its performance.

December 2000
PART 1 - INTRODUCTION AND CLASSIFICATION OF CONTAMINANTS
Joe Eppert, a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, writes the first of a six part series on the subject of contamination.  The approach is a logical and analytic assessment of problems and solutions, and  Part I lays the ground work for the series.

February  2001
INTRODUCTION
A fascinating report on a non-culture based methodology developed for assessment of microbes present in metalworking fluids.  Characterization of the metalworking fluid is based on DNA testing and Phospholipid Fatty Acid Analysis (PLFA).  This is technology designed to overcome the limitations of culture based analysis in the study of health effects associated with chronic exposure to metalworking fluids.

July 2003
FACE OFF #5: RECYCLING UPDATE - LORMAR RECLAMATION SERVICES AND SOLUTION RECOVERY SYSTEMS
See the questions we put to Lormar and SRS in this update on the recycling technology.

September 2001
FACE OFF #4: BLASER SWISSLUBE - GOOD BACTERIA v BAD BACTERIA" BLASER MANAGEMENT STATES THEIR POSITION
Blaser steps up and sets the record straight regarding the properties of their popular metalworking fluid product.  We go straight to the horse's mouth and ask the tough questions for you.  Questions about Blaser?  Get your answers here.

September 2001
FACE OFF #3: ILMA - MWPSG  INTERVIEW WITH DAN GOON, CHAIRMAN OF THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Find out what it means, find out who they are. The MWFPSG is probably the most politically powerful metalworking fluid organization in the world.  We interviewed Dan Goon, the Chairman of the Oversight Committee of this organization.  Not only does the MWFPSG have the political clout, but they have some extreme technological expertise... and they want to share it with you.

December 2000
FACE OFF #2: MOBILE RECYCLING - LORMAR RECLAMATION SERVICES AND COOLANT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
The answers to questions you should be asking if you are even thinking about mobile recycling.  They will tell us what is different about their services, who is better and why.  Where else can you find industrial competitors paired off in debate style interviews?  No where.  We invented it.

March 2000
FACE OFF #1 ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT TECHNOLOGY COOLANT WIZARD AND TRITON THALLASSIC TECHNOLOGIES
Fundamental to the management of metalworking fluids is control of the microbe growth in the fluid.  One technology that is effective in the destruction of microbes is ultraviolet light, or UV.  In this Segment of Tech Focus METALWORKING FLUID MAGAZINE interviews Bill Bettag of Coolant Wizard, and John Coogan, of Triton Thallassic Technologies.

October 2000
PART 4
Part 4, the last of this series, focuses on foaming in metalworking fluids, how to identify the source, and the difference between fixing it and preventing it.

September 2000
PART 3
Part 3 of this series focuses on shop water quality, its importance to metalworking operations, the differences in water source, what problems to anticipate and how to identify and handle them.

August 2000
PART 2
Part 2 of this series focuses on small shop testing of metalworking fluids for microbial  growth.  It is recommended that you read Part 1 first.

July 2000
PART 1
Part 1 of a four part series on maintenance of metalworking fluids. Written by Dom Ruggeri, this series presents a practical approach to management of metalworking fluid systems that is based on the likely available resources of the small shop.

November 2002
WRONGFUL DEATH; EXPOSURE TO CONTAMINATED MWF
Part 3 - Fact Summary.
A look at the basic facts of the case, as assembled from the various pleadings and related documents.  A sad and sobering reality of the potential hazards of metalworking fluid exposure.

October 2002
WRONGFUL DEATH; EXPOSURE TO CONTAMINATED MWF
Part 2 - The Parties.
Introduction to the litigating parties in the first ever wrongful death case in Texas for exposure to metalworking fluid.  Follow this case to learn how you can prevent your employees from becoming victims, and your company from becoming a Defendant.

September 2002
WRONGFUL DEATH; EXPOSURE TO CONTAMINATED MWF
Part 1 - Introduction
Introduction to the most important personal injury case in the history of the metalworking fluid industry.  An employee died shortly after exposure to contaminated metalworking fluid.

April 2002
IWIG Meeting
International Working Industry Group meeting notes, January 2002.

February 2002
ASTM GUIDE ON BIOCIDE SELECTION
Fred Passman tells you why you need to read ASTM’s newly released E-2169 Standard Practice for Selecting Antimicrobial Pesticides for use in Water-Miscible Metalworking Fluids.

October 2001
ARC DISCHARGE DISINFECTION OF METALWORKING FLUIDS
Scientific Utilization provides results of bench testing the PulsePower® arc discharge disinfecting system for metalworking fluid. Give it time to show up on the screen, the photos of plates are a slow load, but impressive to see.

We have been advised of a couple of sites that offer publication of MSDS's.  

1) MSDS SOLUTIONS is a large, free on-line database for fast access to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS's).  Here is your link: www.msdssolutions.com

2) MSDS-SEARCH is a comprehensive address for free information related to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS's), providing access to over 1,000,000 MSDS's.  Here is your link: www.msdssearch.com

We encourage all of our manufacturers to include their product MSDS's in the Central Repository of these sites.