Development of a cutting fluid classification system using cluster analysis

Cutting fluids are receiving increasing scrutiny owing to the potential negative health and environmental consequences of their usage. Manufacturers are besieged with many claims by cutting fluid suppliers and historically fluids have often been selected based on non-technical reasons. A methodology for the development of a classification scheme based on the physical properties of a wide array of cutting fluids is presented. The method of cluster analysis, in a hierarchical agglomerative form, is used to identify differences between fluid samples and a case study example employing this method is used to illustrate the capability of the approach. Results of the example point to unanticipated fluid distinctions and demonstrate the potential for the technique to adequately define cutting fluid categories.