Water Diluted Machining Coolants
Explore QA Ultra, QualiChem Q-Cut and Xtreme Cut, Quaker Houghton Hocut, Castrol Hysol and Chemetall Tech Cool.
Shop semi-synthetic coolants
Select for your process
From economical multi-metal machining to demanding aerospace alloys, these fluids offer different balances of lubricity, foam control, corrosion protection and biological resistance. Compare chlorine-free, chlorinated EP and sulfur-additive options around your process.
26 product profiles
Economical · Light to medium duty
An economical traditional semi-synthetic formulation designed for light to medium-duty machining.
Application concentration
Ask QA for the recommended working concentration.
Contact QA to match this product to your material and operation and confirm the recommended dilution and concentration-control guidance.
Economical multi-metal machining · Advanced biocide package
Matches QA Ultra 3215D’s machining performance profile, with a different, advanced biocide package. Designed for versatile cutting and grinding of steel alloys and most aluminum grades. Contains no boron or DCHA.
Application concentration
Ask QA for the working concentration for your material and operation.
Same as the corresponding D version except for the biocide package, as specified by QA. Advanced biocide package; no boron or DCHA. Contact QA for current product documentation and concentration-control guidance.
Economical multi-metal machining
Versatile semi-synthetic for cutting, grinding, drilling, tapping and milling steel alloys and most aluminum grades. Combines corrosion protection, low foam in softer water, hard-water stability and biological resistance at recommended concentrations.
Application concentration
Ask QA for the working concentration for your material and operation.
Typical pH at 5%: 9.2. Refractometer factor: 1.6. No chlorine or sulfur listed.
Clean running · Advanced biocide package
Matches QA Ultra 3230D’s machining performance profile, with a different, advanced biocide package. A versatile semi-synthetic for machining and grinding steel alloys and most aluminum grades, with a focus on surface finish and clean operation. Contains no boron or DCHA.
Application concentration
Ask QA for the working concentration for your material and operation.
Same as the corresponding D version except for the biocide package, as specified by QA. Advanced biocide package; no boron or DCHA. Contact QA for current product documentation and concentration-control guidance.
Clean running · Multi-metal versatility
Semi-synthetic for steel alloys and most aluminum grades, with broad use across cutting and grinding operations. Designed for corrosion protection, long sump life, good surface finish and low carry-out.
Application concentration
Ask QA for the working concentration for your material and operation.
Typical pH at 5%: 9.4. Refractometer factor: 1.31. No chlorine or sulfur listed.
Chlorinated performance option
Versatile semi-synthetic for machining and grinding ferrous and non-ferrous materials. Combines low foam, corrosion protection, biological resistance and a clean-running formulation; its data sheet lists chlorine as present.
Application concentration
Ask QA for application selection and the recommended concentration.
Typical pH at 5%: 9.4. Refractometer factor: 1.31. Chlorine present; no sulfur or DCHA listed.
High-oil semi-synthetic
High-oil formulation for high-end machining performance across materials including stainless steel, Inconel and aluminum. Suitable for cutting, grinding, drilling and tapping, with low foam, hard-water stability and low carry-out.
Application concentration
Ask QA for the working concentration for your material and operation.
Typical pH at 5%: 9.4. Refractometer factor: 1.0. No chlorine or sulfur listed.
Chlorinated EP · Hard materials
The chlorinated version of QA Ultra 3250D, with an extreme-pressure additive for machining hard materials.
Application concentration
Ask QA for the recommended working concentration.
Choose when the application calls for chlorinated EP performance. Confirm the working concentration and refractometer guidance for 3251D; do not assume the 3250D values apply.
Aluminum machining · Chlorine-free
Semi-synthetic designed primarily for aluminum and capable of machining most metal alloys. Suitable for moderate to severe-duty grinding, machining, tapping, drilling, milling, sawing and turning. Combines cooling and lubrication with biological resistance, low drag-out and effective tramp-oil rejection.
Application concentration
Machining: 5–12%; grinding: 3–6%.
Forms a translucent, milky emulsion in soft and medium-hardness water, with good hard-water stability and fine settling. Typical pH at 5%: 9.2. Refractometer factor: 1.4. Contains no chlorine, nitrite or phenols.
Light to moderate duty · EP-fortified
Semi-synthetic cutting and grinding fluid for ferrous and non-ferrous metals. EP-fortified for machining, drilling, milling, sawing and turning, with biological resistance and stability across a wide range of water qualities.
Application concentration
Machining: 5–12%; grinding: 3–6%.
Typical pH at 5%: 9.1. Refractometer factor: 1.5. Dilution: translucent.
High performance · Chlorine- & halogen-free
Versatile machining and grinding fluid for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including sensitive aerospace alloys, aluminum grades 319, 356, 6061-T6 and 7075, and yellow metals. Tight emulsion promotes tramp-oil rejection; biological resistance, low foam and corrosion protection support clean operation in job shops, central systems and individual sumps.
Application concentration
Machining: 4–12%; grinding: 3–5%.
Hard-water stability up to 35 grains. Typical pH at 5%: 8.8–9.2. Dilution: milky white. Use the product-specific refractometer table: a 5% concentration reads approximately 4.6 Brix; 10% reads 9.2 Brix. Water and refractometer type can affect readings.
Premium multi-metal semi-synthetic
Combines premium soluble-oil lubricity and versatility with synthetic-style cleanliness and heat control. Designed for machining and grinding ferrous and non-ferrous alloys, with additives that support tool life and part quality without chlorine or sulfur EP chemistry. Low foam, biological resistance and a tight emulsion help control residue, odors and tramp oil.
Application concentration
Machining: 4–12%; grinding: 3–5%.
Hard-water stability up to 35 grains. Typical pH at 5%: 9.0. Dilution: translucent. Contains no chlorine, sulfur, diethanolamine or formaldehyde-release biocides. Use the product-specific refractometer table: 5% concentration reads approximately 3.2 Brix; 10% reads 6.4 Brix. Formerly Q-Cut 230.
Premium semi-synthetic with EP
Multi-metal machining and grinding fluid combining soluble-oil lubricity with synthetic-style cleanliness and heat control. Extreme-pressure and high-performance additives support tool life and part quality. A tight emulsion promotes tramp-oil rejection, while low foam and biological resistance help maintain clean machines and long fluid life.
Application concentration
Machining: 4–12%; grinding: 3–5%.
Hard-water stability up to 35 grains. Typical pH at 5%: 9.2. Dilution: translucent. Refractometer factor: 1.4. Contains no diethanolamine, formaldehyde-release biocides, nitrite, phosphates, silicones or sulfur.
Multi-metal · High-pressure foam control
Chlorine-free semi-synthetic with boundary lubricants for steel, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel alloys, yellow metals and plastics. Designed for high-pressure coolant delivery, with strong foam control, low drag-out, fine settling and tramp-oil rejection. Translucent dilution helps operators see the workpiece; suited to soft to moderately hard water.
Application concentration
Machining & turning: 5–12%; grinding: 4–7%. Minimum: 4%; maximum: 12%.
Typical pH at 5%: 9.2–9.6. Dilution: translucent, slightly milky. Refractometer factor: 1.4. Applied Materials approved for UHV component manufacturing.
Chlorinated EP · Heavy-duty ferrous machining
Chlorinated, heavy-duty semi-synthetic designed for ferrous metals and suitable for non-ferrous materials. Particularly useful for broaching, gear cutting, custom porting and chambering, deep-hole and gun drilling, thread cutting, forming and tapping. Also supports general machining, turning and light to medium-duty grinding.
Application concentration
Machining & turning: 4–10%; grinding: 3–5%. Minimum: 3%; maximum: 10%.
Designed for central systems and individual sumps, with long emulsion life, bacterial and fungal resistance, corrosion protection, low foam in soft water and tramp-oil rejection. Typical pH at 5%: 9.3–9.7. Dilution: semi-translucent. Refractometer factor: 1.2.
Premium heavy-duty · Aerospace & semiconductor
Premium heavy-duty coolant for high-speed aluminum machining and precision machining of hard metals, including titanium and nickel alloys. Suited to aerospace, motorsports and electronics shops seeking one coolant for multiple materials. Low drag-out, low residue and long service life reduce fluid usage; foam control is documented at 1,000 psi (70 bar) in RO, DI and soft water.
Application concentration
Machining: 7–9%; turning: 6–8%. Minimum: 5%; maximum: 12%. Ask QA for grinding recommendations.
Typical pH at 5%: 8.9–9.3. Dilution: milky white. Refractometer factor: 1.0. No chlorinated or sulfurized EP additives. Approvals & compliance: Boeing BAC 5008 Rev. V, Usage Areas 1–6; Airbus approval for CRES and nickel alloys; Airbus compliance for aluminum, titanium, steel and copper; Bombardier BAMS 569-001; Applied Materials approval for UHV component manufacturing. The sheet also lists ASTM F945 titanium corrosion, F1110 sandwich corrosion, F483 total immersion corrosion, F519 hydrogen embrittlement, RoHS and medical implant restrictions compliance. Confirm the exact approval scope for your job.
Chlorinated EP · Difficult-to-machine alloys
Premium semi-synthetic with extreme-pressure additives for titanium, nickel alloys, aircraft and automotive aluminum, alloy steels and other difficult-to-machine materials. QA identifies this as the chlorinated EP option for hard metals such as steel. A tight emulsion, biological resistance, hard-water stability and low foam support tool life, surface finish and clean operation.
Application concentration
Machining: 4–12%; grinding: 3–5%.
Compatible with common machine plastics, paints and seals. Typical pH at 5%: 9.0. Dilution: milky white. The supplied concentration table is 1:1. The sheet lists RoHS compliance and no animal byproducts, heavy metals, DEA, formaldehyde, nitrites, phenols or silicones.
Extreme-duty · Sulfur EP · Multi-metal
High-performance cutting and grinding fluid for rigorous ferrous and non-ferrous applications. Sulfur additive chemistry, extreme-pressure additives and polar lubricants address demanding lubrication needs, supporting tool life and surface finish. Designed to deliver heavy-duty soluble-oil performance with low usage, low residue and long fluid life.
Application concentration
Machining: 4–12%; grinding: 3–5%.
Very low foam, including high-pressure applications and soft water. Hard-water stability up to 35 grains; tight emulsion promotes tramp-oil rejection. Typical pH at 5%: 9.0. Dilution: milky white. Contains sulfur; no chlorine or formaldehyde-release biocides listed. Supplied concentration table is 1:1. Formerly Q-Cut 270.
Extreme-duty · Boron-free · Aerospace alloys
High-performance, boron- and formaldehyde-free semi-synthetic for difficult machining applications, particularly Inconel, titanium and stainless steel. Suitable for ferrous and non-ferrous metals and non-staining to aluminum. Designed for tool life and long fluid life in central systems and individual sumps, with low foam, corrosion protection and effective tramp-oil rejection.
Application concentration
Machining: 4–12%; grinding: 3–5%.
Hard-water stability up to 35 grains. Typical pH at 5%: 8.8–9.2. Dilution: semi-translucent. Refractometer factor: 1.0. Contains no boron, chlorine, sulfur, nitrite, silicones or formaldehyde-release biocides. Confirm application-specific aerospace approval documentation with QA; this supplied sheet does not list approvals.
Heavy-duty all-metal machining
Heavy-duty, chlorine-free soluble metal-removal fluid for machining and grinding aerospace and automotive alloys, including aluminum, titanium, stainless steels and superalloys. Described in its sheet as clean running and biostable.
Application concentration
Machining: 7–10%; grinding: 5%.
Supplied sheet: pH in use 8.8–9.0; refractometer factor 1.0; whitish 5% emulsion. Review any required aerospace approval with QA.
Hard-water formulation
The hard-water version of Hocut 795B, as specified by QA. Review the shop’s water hardness when selecting between the B and H formulations.
Application concentration
Contact QA to confirm dilution for the H formulation and your water quality.
Hard-water suitability is based on QA’s product clarification. Confirm H-specific data rather than assuming every 795B value applies.
Light-duty machining & grinding
Semi-synthetic for light to medium-duty machining and grinding of ferrous and aluminum alloys. Chlorine- and formaldehyde-releasing-agent-free formulation; not recommended for heavy-duty work.
Application concentration
Grinding: 5–6%; general machining: 6–10%.
Semi-translucent dilution. Refer to the current Castrol sheet for concentration conversion and in-service pH maintenance.
Medium-duty multi-metal machining
High-performance chlorine- and formaldehyde-releasing-agent-free semi-synthetic. Lubricity, wetting and bio-resistance support tool life, part quality and clean operation in central systems or single sumps.
Application concentration
Grinding: 4–5%; machining: 5–8%.
Semi-translucent dilution. Supplied product sheet water range: 100–600 ppm as CaCO3. Use the current product-specific refractometer conversion.
Heavy-duty machining · High lubricity
High-performance soluble metalworking fluid for ferrous and aluminum alloys. Its lubrication package supports tool life and finish, with good wetting and suitability for central systems and single-sump machines.
Application concentration
Grinding: 5–7%; general machining: 5–8%; drilling: 6–8%; reaming/tapping: 7–10%; broaching: 8–10%.
Supplied product sheet water range: 100–1000 ppm as CaCO3. Chlorine- and formaldehyde-releasing-agent-free. Confirm current concentration conversion with QA.
Heavy-duty microemulsion · Chlorinated EP
Premium heavy-duty fluid for machining and grinding difficult alloys, including aluminum, titanium and Inconel. Combines low foam, tramp-oil rejection, corrosion protection and hard-water stability.
Application concentration
Machining: 5–12%; grinding: 4–6%.
Typical pH at 5%: 8.5–9.3. Refractometer factor: 1.25. Hard-water stability to 1,200 ppm. Formulated for bio-resistance without biocides, DCHA or other secondary amines.
Heavy-duty semi-synthetic · Chlorine-free
Multi-metal fluid with high lubricity and microemulsion stability for aluminum, titanium, Inconel and other difficult alloys. Detergency supports clean systems and reduced residue; rejects tramp oils.
Application concentration
Machining: 5–12%; grinding: 4–6%.
Supplied pH range: 8.8–9.8. Refractometer factor: 1.08. Hard-water stability to 1,200 ppm. No chlorine or sulfur listed.
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Ultra 3215 and Ultra 3230 match their corresponding D versions except for the biocide package. Their advanced biocide packages contain no boron or DCHA. Ultra 3231D and Ultra 3251D are separate product options.
Mixing & maintenance
Review hardness and available water treatment. Hocut 795H is the hard-water version of 795B. Other products have their own hardness windows and foam-control characteristics.
Calibrate the refractometer and follow the exact product’s factor or conversion table. For example, Ultra 3215D uses 1.6, Ultra 3230D uses 1.31 and Ultra 3250D uses 1.0. Do not substitute a related product’s factor.
When mixing by hand, add coolant concentrate to water. Select a proportioner suited to the required flow and water pressure, and verify the final concentration after mixing.
Maintain the recommended concentration, remove tramp oil and particulate, and monitor sump condition. Match the coolant to the material, cutting severity and downstream cleaning or finishing requirements.
Profiles summarize the supplied product data sheets, including the latest QualiChem updates, and QA’s product clarifications. Typical properties are not specification limits. Recommendations and approval status can vary with document revision and product supply; ask QA for the current sheet and application guidance.
Technical support
Share the material, machining operation, water quality, current coolant and performance goals. Call 1.877.877.6221 or email info@qalube.com.