MARK II STABILIZER
BioTech Stabilizers are
mixtures of alkanolamines designed for addition to
metalworking fluids for the purpose of controlling corrosion, buffering pH and
affecting the rate of microbial growth. Stabilizers are distinguishable from
biocides as follows:
Biocides kill microbes.
Effects of biocides may be measured in a matter of minutes (or, at most, a few
hours) after an appropriate dose has been administered to an infected sump.
Conversely, when the biocide concentration falls below its effective level, a
"bloom" or burst of relatively fast growth may be seen. This provides
a relatively small window of time (hours) within which to redose
the system with biocide.
BioTech Stabilizers, on
the other hand, do not kill the organisms. The
organisms simply won’t grow in the presence of Stabilizers. When an
appropriate dose is administered to an infected sump the microbial population
will diminish slowly over a matter of days. This slow microbial decline is a
result of attrition, since the microbes can no longer reproduce at a rate
consistent with maintaining a high population.
Stabilizer, when added
to a clean sump, in which there is a low microbial level, will maintain a low
level of biological activity over long periods. When Stabilizer concentration
falls below its effective level the microbes begin to reproduce, but the recovery
is slow, much as the attrition rate was slow, providing a relatively large
window of time (days) within which to redose the
system with Stabilizer.
Biocides are usually
added to sumps continuously, daily or weekly. Stabilizers are usually added
monthly or bimonthly.
Profiles of the
microbial populations in sumps controlled with biocide vs
sumps conditioned with Stabilizer are quite different. A biocide profile will
resemble a sawtooth with extreme highs (blooms), and extreme lows after biocide is administered. A
Stabilizer profile will resemble a protracted horizontal sine wave, with no
extremes. This absence of extremes allows the metalworking fluid to be managed,
extending its life indefinitely.
When attempting to
control both bacteria and fungi with biocides, a mixture of a bactericide and
fungicide is usually necessary. BioTech Stabilizers, on the other hand, are
effective against both. If a coolant has been neglected, and uncontrolled
growth has occurred, BioTech Stabilizers may be used in conjunction with a Triazine type biocide to achieve the shock speed of a
biocide kill and the persistence of Stabilizer. Stabilizer may be added at a
ratio of one pint per sixty gallons of coolant (2000 ppm).