24th International Colloquium Tribology - January 2024 69 Formulating Next Generation Multi-Metal Wire Drawing Fluids with Multifunctional Amino Alcohols Denis Buffiere 1* , Kathleen Havelka 2) , Amelie Bretonnet 1) 1 Advancion Corporation, Paris, France 2 Advancion Corporation, Buffalo Grove, Illinois USA * Corresponding author: dbuffiere@advancionsciences.com 1. Introduction Vehicle electrification and the growing need for energy have significantly increased the demand for improved copper and aluminum wire drawing fluids. Wire drawing is a difficult operation requiring fluid formulations that provide several important characteristics. This presentation highlights the use of multifunctional amino alcohols with other specialty chemistries in wire drawing fluid formulations to improve fluid performance and longevity, enabling formulators to develop high-performing fluids with an improved sustainability profile. This study demonstrates the use of specialty amino alcohol chemistries in wire drawing fluid formulations to provide excellent lubricity, good cleanliness, low foaming, and extended fluid life. The unique multifunctionality of amino alcohols offers new potential in developing next generation wire drawing fluids that can produce defect-free wires while minimizing operating costs and reducing waste. 2. Experimental 2.1 Raw Materials The following raw materials were evaluated in this study: 2.1.1 Amines N-Methyldiethanolamine, 99% (MDEA), Dow Chemical Tris(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, 99% (TEA), Dow Chemical 3-amino-4-octanol, 85%, with 15% water (3A4O), Advancion Corporation 2.1.2 Esters Trimethylolpropane trioleate ester (TMPTO) Trimethylolpropane C8-C10 triester (TMP C8-C10) Polymer ester 2.2 Tests Performed 2.2.1 Aluminum and Copper Staining Aluminum 2017, aluminum 6082 and copper were freshly abraded using coarse grit followed by fine grit sandpaper to remove the oxidized layer. The freshly abraded coupons were then placed into metalworking fluids freshly diluted to 5% in soft water (~40 ppm hardness). The fluids containing the freshly abraded coupons were then placed at 20-°C for 72 hours. After 72 hours, the coupons were removed and evaluated for staining. 2.2.2 Lubrication Test The lubrication tests on aluminum and copper were carried out with a Reichert machine. A test cylinder is fixed and then placed under load upon a rotating ring wheel which is immersed to its lower third in the freshly diluted fluid. The wheel turns over a distance of 100 meters. The wear scar is noted for each try: the smaller the wear scar, the better the lubrication power. 2.2.3 Fluid Stability in Presence of Copper Diluted laboratory formulations were placed at 60-°C in presence of copper powder for several weeks to assess the fluid stability and soap formation. Fluid appearance and deposit were evaluated every week. 2.2.4 Microbiological Challenge Test Diluted laboratory formulations were subjected to a challenge of mixed field isolates (10 6 colony forming units (CFU)/ mL bacteria and 10 5 CFU/ mL fungi). Solutions were shaken for five days, stopped for two days and repeated until failure (>10 5 CFU/ mL bacteria or >10 3 CFU/ mL fungi for two consecutive weeks). 3. Results & Discussion Both aluminum staining (figure 1) and lubrication (figure-2) performances were enhanced with the addition of 3A4O. Figure 1: Aluminum staining test results Figure 2: Lubrication results on aluminum 70 24th International Colloquium Tribology - January 2024 Formulating Next Generation Multi-Metal Wire Drawing Fluids with Multifunctional Amino Alcohols 3A4O helps to maintain excellent emulsion stability with copper powder over time. Figure 3: Fluid stability in presence of copper 3A4O blended with MDEA improved pH stability of low-purity TMPTO ester and increased biostability. Figure 4: Microbial challenge test 4. Conclusion 3-amino-4-octanol shows strong versatility and benefits in multi-metal, semi-synthetic wire drawing fluids. 3A4Os structural characteristics, e.g., amine with branching and linear eight carbon chain provides excellent neutralization, lubricity, compatibility, and fluid life. Performance can be further optimized through more research and collaboration with formulators.