| abstract |
A wiresaw cutting fluid composition of the present invention comprises 25 to 75 % by weight of a particulate abrasive suspended in an aqueous carrier containing a polymeric viscosity modifier that comprises a polymer including a majority of non-ionic monomer units (preferably 100 mol % non-ionic monomer units), has a number average molecular weight (M n ) of at least 5 kDa, and is present in the composition at a concentration sufficient to provide a Brookfield viscosity for the composition in the range of 50 to 1000 cP, e.g., 50 to 700 cP, at 25 °C at a spindle rotation rate of 60 rpm. In one embodiment, the viscosity modifier comprises a polymer having a weight average molecular weight (M w ) of at least 200 kDa. When a viscosity modifier of 200 kDa or greater Mw is utilized, a preferred wiresaw cutting method the cutting fluid is circulated and applied by pumps and nozzles operating at a relatively low shear rate of not more than 10 4 s -1 . |