Standardization News

ASTM International’s committee on occupational health and safety (E34) is developing a standard that aims to support safety by preventing foams that can damage machines and tools used in metalworking.

The proposed standard (WK64558) will describe protocols to evaluate the foaming tendency of water-miscible metalworking fluid (MWF).

Tests outlined in the standard could be used to help develop formulas and to conduct diagnostic and monitoring tests, according to Justin Mykietyn, manager of industrial fluid applications at Munzing. The proposed standard will provide a more comprehensive overview of MWF testing techniques than those of two similar standards withdrawn in 2013.

“Since then, many protocols have been developed,” says Mykietyn.  “However, no single protocol has been universally suitable for predicating water-miscible metalworking fluid (MWF) foaming tendency.”

Metalworking fluid manufacturers and chemical management personnel may find this guide useful, he says.

ASTM International welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member at www.astm.org/JOIN. The next meeting of the committee on occupational health and safety is Oct. 22 at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. (USA).