In machining operations such as tapping, threading with dies, drilling and milling, Tapping Oil (cutting and threading oil) is a vital auxiliary fluid that reduces friction and heat, extending tool life.
Watch Temak Teknik’s video explaining the use of tapping oil, its benefits and application methods below:
Key Benefits of Tapping Oil
- Prevents Friction and Overheating: Tapping is a high-friction cutting operation. The high heat generated by dry cutting, especially in synthetic materials such as plastics, cast nylon, Delrin and polyamide, damages the material structure and causes smoke [00:18], [00:28].
- Increases Tool Life: Compared with dry tapping, using tapping oil increases the life of the tap and drill by 2 to 3 times, delivering significant cost savings [01:45], [01:52].
- Improves Surface Quality: By minimising heat and friction, it prevents burrs on the thread profiles, producing smooth and accurate threads [01:21].
- Chip Evacuation: Thanks to its synthetic and mineral-based composition and high viscosity, it helps chips slide out of the flutes easily [01:11].
- Corrosion and Rust Protection: It leaves a protective oil film on the part after cutting, preventing the threads from rusting and oxidising over time [00:53], [01:01].
Correct Application Method
- Economical Application: Tapping oil should not be applied excessively. A few pea-sized drops on the tap flutes or drill tip are entirely sufficient for the operation [01:45], [02:55].
- Applications: Widely used in manual tapping and in operations on pillar drills, tapping machines, lathes and milling machines [02:19].
- Note for CNC Machines: For safety reasons, applying oil by hand inside enclosed CNC machines is not recommended; on CNC machines, coolants (soluble oil emulsion) delivered through the tool or via external nozzles should be used instead [02:31].