LiquiTech 3996 Case Study
A high-mix aerospace shop improved tool life, surface finishes, machine cleanliness, and operating cost by switching coolants.
By replacing a legacy synthetic with LiquiTech 3996 and optimizing concentration, the customer reduced usage, eliminated foam issues under high pressure, and ran water-white (clear) in multi-alloy production.
Quick Facts
Problem
Residues on parts and machines, foaming at high pressure, sensitivity with multiple alloys, and higher operating cost at 12–15% concentration.
Resolution
LiquiTech 3996 at ~8–10% concentration delivered cleaner machines, better finishes, longer tool life, no foam issues, and lower fluid consumption and cost.
About the customer
An aerospace manufacturer machining titanium, Inconel, stainless steel, and aluminum on 24/5 production. They had trialed 16 coolants over eight years seeking tool life and finish quality, accepting residues and brass incompatibility as “necessary tradeoffs.”
The Challenge
The Solution
Challenge
Heavy residues on parts and machine tools; difficulty maintaining “water-white” appearance across alloys.
Solution
Replace the competitive synthetic (Synergy 735) with LiquiTech 3996, a high-lubricity neutral-pH synthetic formulated for aluminum and difficult steels; oil-rejecting, low-foaming in all waters, with excellent corrosion control.
Challenge
Foam under high-pressure delivery, driving downtime and mess.
Solution
Run LiquiTech 3996 at lower concentration (target ~8–10%) to reduce consumption while maintaining finish/tool life; verify clarity and alloy compatibility.
Challenge
High operating concentration (12–15%) and higher product price per gallon increased cost per shift.
Solution
Leverage 3996’s clean-running behavior to minimize drag-out and speed part wash-off, improving housekeeping and uptime.
The Results
Switching to LiquiTech 3996 made parts and machines look cleaner and run better. Surface finishes improved to a mirror-like quality with fewer final passes. Tool life increased, so operators changed inserts less often. Because the fluid works at a lower concentration (about 8–10% instead of 12–15%), the shop used less coolant overall.
Foaming under high pressure went away, the sump stayed water-white, and cleanup was easier. The fluid stayed compatible across multiple alloys—aluminum and steels, short copper runs, and selected stainless and titanium at the right concentration. With lower use and a better price per gallon than the old product, total fluid cost dropped.
At-a-Glance Comparison
(from the shop’s trial):
| Product | Blaser 735 | Liquitech 3996 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $54/Gal | $36/Gal |
| Concentration | 12-15% | 8% |
| Alloy | Mult | Mult |
| Foam | Yes | No |
| Part/Day | 1 | 4 |
| Inserts | 1 | 2 |
| Usage/shift | 1.5 Gal | 1 Qt |
Aluminum Stain Test
5% dilution – tap water, 24 hours
Blaser Synergy 735
LiquiTech 3996
Blaser Synergy 735
LiquiTech 3996
Cleaner Cuts. Lower Cost. Zero Foam.
Switching to LiquiTech 3996 delivered mirror-finish parts, longer tool life, and cleaner machines—while running ~8–10% instead of 12–15%. High-pressure foaming disappeared, sump stayed water-white, and cleanup got easier. Compatible across aluminum, steels, short copper runs, and select stainless/titanium, 3996 cut overall fluid spend thanks to lower usage and a better price per gallon.
