How scCO₂ + MQL Is Extending Tool Life in Stainless Steel Machining by Over 300%

In today’s competitive manufacturing environment, stainless steel machining is a cornerstone of industries like automotive, aerospace, and medical devices. Stainless steel’s strength, durability, and corrosion resistance make it indispensable, but also one of the most challenging materials to machine.

Excessive heat, short tool life, and costly secondary finishing steps are persistent issues. Traditional coolants and cutting oils provide some relief but bring their own drawbacks, including messy residues, disposal costs, and limited effectiveness at higher speeds.

Fusion Coolant’s Pure-Cut® system delivers a better way forward: pairing supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂) with Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL). Backed by peer-reviewed research, this approach has demonstrated tool life extensions of over 300% in stainless steel machining, with cleaner finishes, cooler cuts, and measurable sustainability benefits.

Research on scCO₂ + MQL

Peer-reviewed research has shown how scCO₂ + MQL transforms stainless steel machining. In a study on milling AISI 304L stainless steel:

• Tool life increased by ~324% at a cutting speed of 215 m/min and feed rate of 0.50 mm/tooth.
• Even at more aggressive settings (fz = 1.20 mm/tooth and Vc = 255 m/min), tool life improved by ~106% compared to conventional methods.

These results prove that scCO₂ + MQL is effective not only at conservative cutting parameters, but also under high-speed, high-volume production conditions where stainless steel is most demanding.

How Pure-Cut® Tackles Stainless Steel Machining

Fusion’s Pure-Cut® system delivers measurable improvements across every step of the process:

• Superior cooling and lubrication: scCO₂ penetrates the cutting zone to instantly cool tools, while a precise MQL mist reduces friction at a microscopic level.
• Reliable chip evacuation: High-velocity CO₂ flow clears chips before they cause recutting or surface damage.
• Clean machining environment: scCO₂ evaporates on contact, leaving parts dry and eliminating the need for coolant washing or disposal.
• Sustainability built in: Using recycled CO₂, Pure-Cut® reduces environmental impact while creating safer, cleaner workspaces.
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Bottom-Line Benefits

For shops machining stainless steel components, Pure-Cut® delivers:

• Tool life increases of 300% or more, cutting consumable costs dramatically.
• Cooler tool temperatures that preserve coatings and extend sharpness.
• Cleaner, smoother part finishes with fewer burrs and less rework.
• Faster machining speeds without sacrificing quality or precision.
• Safer, more sustainable production with zero fluid waste.
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Why It Matters

For manufacturers machining stainless steel every day, even modest efficiency gains translate into major cost savings and competitive advantage. Pure-Cut® doesn’t just improve cooling—it redefines what’s possible in stainless steel machining.

Ready to see the impact of Pure-Cut® on your operations?

Contact us today or explore our technical resources to learn more.