Lanolin containing metalworking fluids and concentrates

In a metalworking operation in which a metalworking fluid that carries a lubricant in aqueous solution is continuously circulated over the metal involved to continuously impart both lubricity and cooling to the operation, the improvement for maintaining substantial stability of the fluid by preventing any appreciable formation of insolubles and their attendant deposition onto the metal, including the maintenance of substantial stability both in hard water and at extended aqueous dilutions, which comprises:

• formulating said fluid as a wax-free lanolin emulsion that in concentrated form before any dilution consists essentially of anhydrous lanolin in an amount from about 3% to about 12% by weight, fatty acid from about 0.15 to about 6 parts by weight per each part lanolin, at least one amine in an amount from about 0.12 to about 1.5 parts by weight per part fatty acid;
• and non-ionic surfactant in an amount from about 0.25 to about 2 parts by weight per each part lanolin and selected from the group consisting of alkylene oxide-treated phenols, alcohols, esters, amines, amides, fatty acids and mixtures thereof, and the balance being water.