TPT May 2017

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T E CHNOLOG Y
46 MAY 2017
Environmentally safe chlorinated
compounds for metal forming
SINCE 1937, Hangsterfer’s has been
committed to making high quality
metalworking lubricants.
The company states that it prides
itself on developing products that
meet the highest health, safety and
environmental standards.
As the industry is faced with
increasing chemical-use regulations,
this philosophy is more important than
ever.
According to research manager
Nicolette Jones, the widespread use of
chlorinated paraffins has recently come
under intense scrutiny.
The US Environmental Protection
Agency has issued new regulations that
will eliminate the use of medium and
long chain chlorinated paraffins from the
manufacturing industry.
The European Chemicals Agency has
begun testing these substances and is
likely to issue a similar ban. The safer
very long chlorinated paraffins (vLCCP)
will continue to be accepted.
Chlorinated paraffins have been
used for decades in the metalworking
fluids industry. They are classified as
short chain (SCCP), medium chain
(MCCP), long chain (LCCP), and the
newest classification, very long chain
(vLCCP).
vLCCPs must be C21 or greater.
The shorter the chain length, the less
viscous the substance is.
However, the shorter the chain
length, the more hazardous it is for the
environment. SCCPs have been banned
for years, and now MCCPs and LCCPs
are being banned based on three
factors: whether they are persistent,
toxic or bio-accumulative.
There is some evidence that vLCCPs
are persistent in the environment but
not toxic or bio-accumulative. However,
chlorinated paraffins below C21 have
been shown to be persistent, bio-
accumulative and toxic.
The reason that many companies
have not embraced the use of vLCCPs
is that they are the hardest to work
with. While the shorter chain lengths
are more liquid, vLCCPs are very thick
and waxy, making them difficult for most
companies to develop and store without
making massive technological and
equipment changes.
Using vLCCPs has a variety of
benefits. They improve surface quality
and extend tool life.
Additionally, they are long lasting and
reliable. Replacing medium and long
chain chlorinated paraffins with vLCCPs
also reduces negative environmental
impact.
Hangsterfer’s Laboratories, Inc –
USA
Website: