Development of a cutting fluid classification system using cluster analysis

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