ACME Drawing lubricants are designed to provide a film between the tool and metal to prevent die galling, die wear and to reduce friction. This allows the proper flow of metal under pressure to plastically deform with minimum wear and friction.
Drawing oils are formulated in a range from low to high viscosities utilizing polar, extreme pressure (EP) lubricants, and combinations of both as required by application.
Water soluble products using highly refined petroleum hydrocarbons blended with additives such as EP, polar, emulsifiers, corrosion inhibitors and protection from microbial infestation.
Vanishing oils are special purpose lubricants that are chemically inert, colorless and odorless liquids dry to the touch after one hour and used when cleaning of the workpiece is not required.
ACME product recommendations are based on these factors that must be considered to select the correct lubricant.
Low Severity – based on low‐carbon commercial quality steel.
Moderate Severity ‐ based on low‐carbon commercial quality steel.
High Severity – based on low‐carbon drawing quality sheet steel.
Maximum Severity – based on low‐carbon drawing quality sheet steel.
Stainless Steels lubrication requirements are more critical because it is usually necessary to preserve the high‐quality surface. Stainless steels have higher strength, greater hardness, lower thermal conductivity, and higher coefficient of friction. More heat is being generated at the surface being formed, and less is being conducted away than in forming a comparable workpiece from low‐carbon steel.
Aluminum, aluminum alloys, cooper and copper alloys lubricants must be compatible and suitable with the particular forming operation. Avoidance of staining or corrosion is an important consideration.