One of the market leaders in industrial process fluids, Quaker Houghton, has launched a new aluminum hot rolling fluid designed to provide superior mill cleanliness, minimal fluid maintenance and excellent surface finish.
The new QH Everoll A 5000 soap-free emulsion technology prevents both metal soap build-up and metal sludge formation that can occur when using conventional soap-based and soap-free emulsion chemistries in rolling mills. The basis of their performance is the ability to keep aluminum abrasion dispersed in the liquid, enabling easy filtration and preventing deposits and sludge formation. The new product series is suitable for the entire range of alloys used in aluminum strip production.
A structured approach was taken in the development of the QH Everoll A 5000 to reduce the risks of switching to a new rolling fluid for customers. The process also included testing at Quaker Houghton’s pilot rolling mill. Peter De Bruyne, Global Business Director for non-ferrous at Quaker Houghton, explains: “Laboratory testing methods alone cannot give a complete picture of lubricant performance. By scaling up product development in the pilot rolling mill, we can evaluate the behavior of the rolling fluid under real-life conditions. This approach was confirmed during the first industrial use of the QH Everoll A 5000 at the customer’s site. By developing hot rolling protocols modeled on the customer’s rolling conditions, we were able to fine-tune our product before it reached the customer’s rolling mill.” “This resulted in a smooth product launch for the customer:
Apart from a single ester addition in the very early stages of the product launch, no additional tank-side additives were required during the first five months of full operation. The customer has seen a 30 percent reduction in oil consumption and confirms a unique plant cleanliness, which is favored by the product properties of QH Everoll A 5000.”
The launch of QH Everoll A 5000 demonstrates Quaker Houghton’s continued commitment to customers in the rolled aluminum industry following the sale of Houghton International’s legacy non-ferrous hot rolling business in Europe and North America in 2019, necessitated by the merger of Quaker Chemical and Houghton International.
The associated non-compete clause ended in August 2024.
Peter De Bruyne continues: “The aluminum industry is going through dynamic times, with net zero commitments requiring operational improvements as well as driving demand. Our mission is to open up new market opportunities for our customers. Through innovative fluid technologies such as QH Everoll A 5000 and our process expertise, we are helping to ensure long-term, competitive production in line with our customers’ sustainability and operational goals.”