Cutting fluids and tool life: State whether the following is true or false — “Cutting fluid has no effect on the tool life.”

Introduction / Context:
Cutting fluids influence temperature, friction, chip evacuation, and built-up edge formation. These directly impact wear mechanisms such as abrasion, adhesion, diffusion, and oxidation, thereby affecting tool life significantly in many materials and operations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Conventional turning, drilling, or milling of steels and nonferrous alloys.
• Appropriate fluid selection (emulsion, straight oil, or synthetics).
• Proper delivery to the cutting zone.

Concept / Approach:
Cooling reduces average and peak temperatures; lubrication lowers tool–chip and tool–work friction; flushing clears chips, reducing abrasion and BUE. All three extend tool life, often substantially, especially with HSS and carbide tools at moderate to high speeds.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Comparative tool life tests (VT^n = C) show higher C when coolant is used appropriately versus dry cutting in many cases.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• “True” contradicts abundant industrial evidence.
• “Only at very low speeds/for ceramics” are conditional statements; while some ceramics run dry, the general claim remains false.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming fluids always help; in high-speed machining of certain materials or with ceramics/CBN, dry cutting may be preferred to avoid thermal shock—context matters.

Final Answer:
False