Control of thermal conditions in the grinding zone is possible through effective delivery of substances with cooling, lubricating and antiadhesive properties during the machining process. In addition to the benefits of coolants, however, a number of economic and ecological problems arise, which include the costs of purchase, use and maintenance as well as the environmental impact of its disposal. These negative aspects of the use of cooling and lubricating liquids have contributed to the modern trend of minimizing their output in machining processes, including grinding. This article presents comprehensive characteristics of knowledge in the field of liquids, gases and solids with cooling, lubricating and antiadhesive properties. The author’s original classification of cooling and lubricating agents by their physical state was proposed and a complete list of known modern environmentally friendly methods of cooling and lubrication of the grinding zone was presented. In order to highlight their beneficial features, the background of conventional methods of delivery coolants, lubricants and antiadhesives to the grinding zone used for years were also characterised. A comprehensive list of all known methods of cooling and lubrication of the grinding zone classified according to the physical state of the delivered medium with a clear separation of hybrid methods consisting in simultaneous delivery of many cooling and lubricating agents was described in the summary. The article concludes with the characteristics of directions of further development in the field of cooling and lubrication of the grinding zone.
