Introduction: Why Metal Processing Oils Are the Backbone of Indian Manufacturing
India’s manufacturing sector is on the move. From the automotive corridors of Pune and Chennai, to the precision engineering clusters of Ludhiana and Coimbatore, to the heavy engineering belts of Jamshedpur and Bokaro — Indian manufacturers are machining, forming, drawing, and heat-treating millions of metal components every single day.
Behind every precisely machined shaft, every cleanly drawn wire, every hardened gear — there is a metal processing oil doing critical work. These specialized lubricants are not interchangeable commodities. The right cutting oil determines surface finish quality and tool life on a CNC turning centre. The right drawing oil determines whether a steel tube forms cleanly or tears during deep drawing. The right quenching oil determines whether a heat-treated gear achieves the required hardness with minimal distortion or warps beyond tolerance.
For Indian manufacturers, HP Lubricants — the lubricants brand of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), one of India’s largest state-owned oil companies — offers one of the most comprehensive, trusted, and widely available ranges of metal processing oils in the country. Backed by HPCL’s extensive blending and distribution infrastructure, HP metal processing oils are available across every major industrial city and manufacturing cluster in India, supported by authorized technical service networks.
In this authoritative guide, we cover the complete HP Lubricants metal processing oil range — cutting oils, drawing and forming oils, quenching oils, and specialty metalworking fluids — with full specifications, application guidance, pack sizes, indicative pricing, and expert selection advice for Indian manufacturing environments.
What Are Metal Processing Oils? A Quick Technical Overview
Metal processing oils (also called metalworking oils, metalworking fluids, or MWFs) are lubricants specifically formulated for the various stages of metal manufacturing. They differ fundamentally from general equipment lubricants — they are applied directly to the metal workpiece and/or cutting tool during machining, forming, or heat treatment operations.
The three major families of metal processing oils covered in this guide are:
1. Cutting & Machining Oils
Applied during metal removal operations — turning, milling, drilling, tapping, grinding, broaching, and threading. Their dual function is cooling (removing heat from the cutting zone) and lubrication (reducing friction between tool and workpiece). They directly influence:
- Tool life and cost-per-component
- Surface finish quality (Ra values)
- Dimensional accuracy of machined parts
- Machine tool and spindle cleanliness
2. Drawing, Forming & Stamping Oils
Applied during metal forming operations where material is shaped without being removed — deep drawing, wire drawing, tube drawing, stamping, and cold forging. Their function is to reduce friction between the die and workpiece surface, preventing galling, tearing, and die wear. They influence:
- Die life and tooling cost
- Surface finish of formed parts
- Formability — how cleanly and consistently the metal flows
- Downstream cleaning and coating compatibility
3. Quenching Oils
Applied during the heat treatment stage, where metals heated to high temperatures (typically 800°C–1000°C for steel) are rapidly cooled (quenched) to achieve the required hardness and microstructure. The quenching oil’s cooling speed (quench severity) determines:
- Achieved surface and core hardness
- Dimensional distortion and warpage
- Risk of cracking during quenching
- Residue and cleanliness of quenched parts
Now let’s look at what HP Lubricants offers across each of these three critical categories.
SECTION 1: HP CUTTING & MACHINING OILS
Cutting oils are the most volume-intensive category of metal processing oils in any manufacturing plant. HP Lubricants offers a comprehensive range covering both neat (straight) cutting oils and water-miscible (soluble/emulsifiable) cutting fluids.
HP Ratak Series — Neat Cutting & Grinding Oils
The HP Ratak series is HPCL’s flagship range of neat (non-diluted) cutting and grinding oils, designed for precision machining and grinding operations requiring superior surface finish and tool life.
HP Ratak 22
Grade: Light duty neat cutting oil Base: Highly refined mineral oil Viscosity (40°C): ~22 cSt Sulphur Content: Active sulphur (EP performance)
Best Applications:
- Light-duty turning and milling of steel and cast iron
- Thread cutting and tapping of ferrous metals
- General workshop machining of automotive components
- Capstan and turret lathe operations
Key Performance Features:
- Active EP sulphur chemistry provides anti-weld protection on ferrous metals
- Low viscosity ensures excellent penetration to the cutting zone
- Good cooling performance despite being a neat oil
- Leaves minimal residue on machined surfaces
Indicative Price (India): ₹95–₹120 per litre Pack Sizes: 1L, 5L, 20L, 210L drum
HP Ratak 32
Grade: Medium duty neat cutting oil Base: Solvent-refined mineral oil with sulphurised additives Viscosity (40°C): ~32 cSt
Best Applications:
- Medium-duty turning, boring, and milling of alloy steels
- Gear hobbing and gear shaping operations
- Broaching of steel components
- Precision grinding of hardened steel parts
Key Performance Features:
- Higher viscosity than Ratak 22 — better film retention on vertical surfaces and in grinding contact zones
- Enhanced EP performance for alloy steel machining where built-up edge formation is a risk
- Excellent surface finish on ground components
- Compatible with standard oil mist collectors
Indicative Price (India): ₹105–₹130 per litre Pack Sizes: 5L, 20L, 210L drum
HP Ratak 68
Grade: Heavy duty neat cutting and grinding oil Base: High-viscosity mineral base with multi-functional additive package Viscosity (40°C): ~68 cSt
Best Applications:
- Heavy-duty gear cutting (hobbing, shaping, shaving)
- Thread grinding on hardened steel
- Broaching of tough alloy steels and stainless steel
- Honing operations for engine cylinders and hydraulic cylinders
- Screw thread cutting in difficult materials
Key Performance Features:
- High viscosity provides thick, tenacious oil film under extreme cutting pressures
- Multi-functional additive package combines EP, anti-weld, and anti-corrosion performance
- Produces excellent surface finish in honing and thread grinding
- Suitable for difficult-to-machine materials including stainless steel and nickel alloys
Indicative Price (India): ₹115–₹145 per litre Pack Sizes: 20L, 210L drum
HP Cutting Compound / Soluble Cutting Oil Series
For high-volume machining operations where flood cooling is required — particularly in CNC machining centres, transfer lines, and multi-spindle automatics — HP Lubricants offers water-miscible cutting oil concentrates that are diluted with water to produce cutting emulsions.
HP Cutting Compound (Soluble Oil Concentrate)
Type: Emulsifiable (soluble) oil concentrate Dilution Ratio: 1:20 to 1:40 with clean water (5% to 2.5% concentration) Base: Mineral oil with emulsifiers, corrosion inhibitors, and biostatic agents
Best Applications:
- General-purpose turning, milling, and drilling on CNC and conventional machines
- Cast iron and mild steel machining in automotive component plants
- Multi-spindle automatic lathe operations
- Transfer line machining in engine and transmission plants
Key Performance Features:
- Forms stable, fine white emulsion on mixing with water — excellent emulsion stability in Indian water hardness conditions
- Good corrosion protection on both steel and cast iron workpieces
- Biostatic additive package controls microbial growth in the sump
- Good detergency — keeps machines and swarf conveyors clean
- Anti-foaming characteristics suitable for high-pressure coolant systems
Working Emulsion pH: 8.5–9.5 (recommended operating range) Indicative Price (India — concentrate): ₹85–₹110 per litre Working Emulsion Cost: ₹3–₹5 per litre (at 1:30 dilution) Pack Sizes: 20L, 210L drum
Maintenance Tips:
- Monitor concentration weekly using a refractometer
- Maintain pH above 8.5 to prevent corrosion and bacterial growth
- Top up with fresh concentrate and water separately — never pre-mix
- Replace sump when concentration drops and cannot be recovered or bacterial count is high
HP Syntho Cut (Semi-Synthetic Cutting Fluid)
Type: Semi-synthetic (low-oil) concentrate Dilution Ratio: 1:20 to 1:50 with clean water Oil Content (concentrate): 15–25%
Best Applications:
- CNC machining centres running at medium-to-high speeds
- Aluminium and aluminium alloy machining (automotive castings, aerospace components)
- Mixed metal machining environments (steel, cast iron, and aluminium on the same machine)
- Grinding operations where cleanliness and visibility are important
Key Performance Features:
- Significantly better cooling performance than soluble oil emulsions — excellent for high-speed CNC operations
- Transparent to translucent working fluid — operators can see the workpiece during machining
- Excellent biological stability — longer sump life than conventional soluble oils
- Low residue formation — keeps machines and fixtures cleaner
- Compatible with most machine tool paints and seal materials
Indicative Price (India — concentrate): ₹120–₹160 per litre Pack Sizes: 20L, 210L drum
SECTION 2: HP DRAWING & FORMING OILS
Metal forming operations place very different demands on lubricants compared to cutting. The lubricant must survive extreme interface pressures without being squeezed out, prevent galling (micro-welding) between die and workpiece, and ideally be removable in downstream cleaning operations without damaging the workpiece surface or coating adhesion.
HP Dramon Series — Drawing and Forming Oils
The HP Dramon series is HPCL’s dedicated range of drawing and metal forming lubricants, covering wire drawing, tube drawing, deep drawing, and sheet metal stamping.
HP Dramon 22
Grade: Light drawing oil Base: Highly refined mineral oil with friction modifier package Viscosity (40°C): ~22 cSt
Best Applications:
- Light-duty cold drawing of mild steel rods and sections
- Sheet metal blanking and light stamping operations
- Light-duty deep drawing of mild steel and aluminium cups and shells
- Press shop operations for automotive body panels (light duty)
Key Performance Features:
- Low viscosity allows excellent die penetration and coverage
- Non-active sulphur chemistry — safe for use on copper, brass, and aluminium without staining risk
- Good post-forming cleaning characteristics — washes off easily with aqueous degreasers
- Provides good surface finish on drawn components
- Compatible with phosphate conversion coating processes used in automotive plants
Indicative Price (India): ₹90–₹115 per litre Pack Sizes: 20L, 210L drum
HP Dramon 68
Grade: Medium-heavy duty drawing oil Base: Higher viscosity base with enhanced lubricity and EP additive package Viscosity (40°C): ~68 cSt
Best Applications:
- Medium-to-heavy cold drawing of steel tubes and pipes
- Deep drawing of thick steel sheets (automotive structural components, LPG cylinders, pressure vessels)
- Cold forging pre-lubrication
- Wire drawing of medium carbon and alloy steel wire
- Stamping of high-strength steel (HSS) panels
Key Performance Features:
- Higher viscosity provides robust lubricant film under severe drawing pressures
- Enhanced EP and anti-galling performance — prevents die pickup and galling on difficult grades
- Suitable for multi-pass drawing operations without intermediate cleaning
- Good thermal stability — resists breakdown under the heat generated in heavy drawing operations
- Available in both active (sulphurised) and non-active grades for ferrous and non-ferrous applications
Indicative Price (India): ₹110–₹140 per litre Pack Sizes: 20L, 210L drum
HP Dramon 460 (Heavy Duty Wire Drawing)
Grade: Heavy duty wire drawing compound Viscosity (40°C): ~460 cSt Consistency: Heavy fluid/semi-paste
Best Applications:
- Multi-die wire drawing of high-carbon steel wire (tyre cord wire, spring wire, PC strand)
- Dry wire drawing when used as a coating pre-lubricant
- Chain and fastener manufacturing wire drawing
- Cold heading of high-carbon steel fasteners
Key Performance Features:
- Very high viscosity ensures lubricant retention in multi-die wire drawing capstans
- Extreme pressure additive package handles the very high interface pressures in wire drawing dies
- Provides bright, smooth wire surface finish
- Excellent die life when used in properly maintained wire drawing equipment
Indicative Price (India): ₹130–₹165 per litre Pack Sizes: 20L, 210L drum
HP Stamping & Pressing Oils
For automotive press shops and metal stamping operations, HP Lubricants offers dedicated stamping oils designed specifically for high-speed progressive die stamping of automotive body panels, brackets, and structural components.
HP Pressol — automotive press shop stamping oil
- Specially formulated for high-speed progressive die and transfer press operations
- Excellent die lubricity and anti-galling under high-speed stamping conditions
- Thin film formulation covers panels effectively at minimum application rates
- Compatible with spot welding without pre-cleaning (weldable formulation)
- Residue acts as short-term corrosion protection between press shop and assembly
- Indicative Price: ₹100–₹130 per litre
SECTION 3: HP QUENCHING OILS
Heat treatment is one of the most critical process steps in the manufacture of engineering components — gears, shafts, bearings, fasteners, hand tools, springs, and countless other parts that require precise hardness and strength properties. The quenching oil used in this process has a direct impact on the quality, consistency, and economics of heat treatment operations.
HP Quench Series — Heat Treatment Quenching Oils
HP Quench 32 — Fast Quench Oil
Grade: Fast quenching oil Base: Highly refined, high thermal stability mineral oil Viscosity (40°C): ~32 cSt Quench Speed: Fast (approximately equivalent to a Type I accelerated quench oil per ASTM D6482)
Best Applications:
- Direct hardening of plain carbon steels and low-alloy steels
- Case hardening of carburized gears, shafts, and pins
- Induction hardening quench tanks
- Carbonitriding and nitriding quench operations
- Small-to-medium sized components requiring fast, uniform quench
Key Performance Features:
- Fast cooling speed achieves maximum hardness in plain carbon steels that require rapid quench
- Excellent thermal oxidation stability — maintains consistent quench characteristics over long operating life
- Low flash point risk managed through careful additive selection — safe for industrial heat treatment furnaces
- Produces minimal residue on quenched parts — reduces cleaning costs
- Operating Temperature Range: 40–80°C (flash point well above operating temperature)
- Equipped with anti-oxidant additive package to resist sludge formation
Flash Point: >140°C (safe margin above maximum operating temperature) Indicative Price (India): ₹85–₹110 per litre Pack Sizes: 20L, 210L drum
HP Quench 68 — Medium Speed Quench Oil
Grade: Medium speed quenching oil (most widely used grade in India) Base: Solvent-refined mineral oil with thermal stabilisers Viscosity (40°C): ~68 cSt Quench Speed: Medium
Best Applications:
- Alloy steel gear and shaft hardening where controlled distortion is required
- Through-hardening of medium-to-large alloy steel components
- Jominy hardenability-sensitive components
- Hardening of tool steel dies and punches (where distortion control is critical)
- General-purpose heat treatment shop use across diverse component types
Key Performance Features:
- Medium quench speed balances hardness achievement with distortion control — the ideal trade-off for most alloy steel components
- Excellent thermal stability across the 40–80°C hot tank operating range
- Uniform quench characteristics across the full tank volume
- Produces consistent, reproducible heat treatment results
- Long sump life — properly maintained HP Quench 68 can remain in service for 2–5 years
- Good filterability — compatible with standard paper cartridge filtration systems
Flash Point: >160°C Indicative Price (India): ₹90–₹115 per litre Pack Sizes: 20L, 210L drum
Most recommended grade for: Automotive gear and shaft hardening, fastener heat treatment, bearing component hardening
HP Quench 150 — Slow Quench / Marquench Oil
Grade: Slow / marquenching oil Base: High-viscosity, high-stability mineral oil Viscosity (40°C): ~150 cSt Quench Speed: Slow (marquench range)
Best Applications:
- Marquenching (interrupted quenching) of high-alloy and tool steels
- Large cross-section components where through-hardening requires controlled, slow cooling
- High-carbon, high-chromium tool steel hardening (D2, D3, H11, H13 grades)
- Complex-shaped components prone to cracking with faster quench oils
- High-precision components requiring minimum distortion (precision gears, thread gauges, dies)
Key Performance Features:
- Slow, controlled cooling rate minimizes thermal gradients through the section — dramatically reduces distortion and cracking risk
- Suitable for marquenching operations at elevated oil temperatures (100–180°C)
- Very high flash point (>200°C) — safe for elevated-temperature marquenching operations
- Excellent oxidation stability at marquench temperatures
- Long service life even in elevated-temperature hot quench applications
Flash Point: >200°C Operating Temperature Range: 60°C–180°C (marquench range) Indicative Price (India): ₹110–₹145 per litre Pack Sizes: 20L, 210L drum
SECTION 4: SPECIALTY HP METALWORKING FLUIDS
Beyond the core three categories, HP Lubricants offers several specialty metal processing products for specific industrial applications.
HP Rustilo — Rust Preventive Oils
Between machining and assembly operations, or during transit and storage, freshly machined metal components are highly susceptible to corrosion. HP Rustilo is HPCL’s range of temporary rust preventive oils that provide protection for machined and formed metal components.
HP Rustilo 200 (Thin Film, Short-Term):
- Thin film rust preventive — leaves near-invisible oily film
- Protection duration: 1–3 months in covered storage
- Application: Dipping, spraying, or wiping
- Recommended for: Machined components awaiting in-plant assembly
- Indicative Price: ₹80–₹100 per litre
HP Rustilo DW 90 (Water Displacing):
- Water-displacing formulation — penetrates and displaces water from machined surfaces
- Excellent for components that have been washed with aqueous cleaners
- Protection duration: Up to 6 months
- Application: Dipping or spraying
- Indicative Price: ₹95–₹125 per litre
HP Rustilo 4 (Long-Term Outdoor):
- Heavy film rust preventive for long-term storage or transit
- Waxy, thick film that can withstand outdoor conditions
- Protection duration: 12–24 months
- Must be solvent-cleaned before assembly or coating
- Indicative Price: ₹90–₹120 per litre
HP Electra Oils — Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) Oils
For precision toolrooms and die-making shops using electrical discharge machining (EDM / die sinking and wire-cut EDM), HP Electra oils provide the dielectric fluid function essential for EDM operations.
HP Electra 40 / HP Electra 60:
- Highly refined, low-viscosity mineral oil with excellent dielectric properties
- Low aromatic content for safe workshop use and reduced health risk
- Stable dielectric strength — maintains spark gap performance
- Low viscosity ensures good flushing of eroded particles from the gap
- Applications: Die sinking EDM, wire-cut EDM in tool rooms and precision component manufacturing
- Indicative Price: ₹120–₹160 per litre
SECTION 5: COMPLETE HP METAL PROCESSING OIL — QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
| Product | Type | Viscosity | Key Application | Price (₹/L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP Ratak 22 | Neat cutting oil | 22 cSt | Light-duty turning, tapping | ₹95–₹120 |
| HP Ratak 32 | Neat cutting oil | 32 cSt | Medium-duty turning, gear cutting | ₹105–₹130 |
| HP Ratak 68 | Neat cutting oil | 68 cSt | Heavy duty broaching, honing, grinding | ₹115–₹145 |
| HP Cutting Compound | Soluble oil | — | CNC general machining (diluted) | ₹85–₹110 |
| HP Syntho Cut | Semi-synthetic | — | High-speed CNC, aluminium machining | ₹120–₹160 |
| HP Dramon 22 | Drawing oil | 22 cSt | Light stamping, light drawing | ₹90–₹115 |
| HP Dramon 68 | Drawing oil | 68 cSt | Heavy drawing, deep drawing | ₹110–₹140 |
| HP Dramon 460 | Wire drawing | 460 cSt | High-carbon wire drawing | ₹130–₹165 |
| HP Pressol | Stamping oil | — | Automotive press shop | ₹100–₹130 |
| HP Quench 32 | Fast quench oil | 32 cSt | Plain carbon steel hardening | ₹85–₹110 |
| HP Quench 68 | Medium quench oil | 68 cSt | Alloy steel gear/shaft hardening | ₹90–₹115 |
| HP Quench 150 | Slow/marquench | 150 cSt | Tool steel, complex shapes | ₹110–₹145 |
| HP Rustilo 200 | Rust preventive | — | Short-term in-plant protection | ₹80–₹100 |
| HP Rustilo DW 90 | Water-displacing RP | — | Post-wash component protection | ₹95–₹125 |
| HP Electra 40/60 | EDM dielectric oil | 40/60 cSt | Die sinking & wire-cut EDM | ₹120–₹160 |
Prices are indicative, exclusive of GST (18%). Contact your authorized HP Lubricants dealer for current pricing and bulk discounts.
SECTION 6: HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT HP METAL PROCESSING OIL
For Cutting & Machining Operations
Choose neat cutting oil (HP Ratak) when:
- Machining difficult materials requiring maximum lubrication (stainless steel, alloy steel, titanium)
- Performing precision grinding, honing, or superfinishing where surface finish is paramount
- Running slow-speed, high-torque operations (gear hobbing, broaching, tapping)
- Working in a tool room environment where cleanliness of individual operations is manageable
Choose soluble oil (HP Cutting Compound) when:
- Running high-volume, high-speed CNC operations
- Machining cast iron and mild steel where cooling is the priority
- Operating multi-spindle automatics or transfer lines
- Cost per litre of working fluid is a key consideration
Choose semi-synthetic (HP Syntho Cut) when:
- Machining aluminium alloys or mixed metals
- Running modern high-speed machining centres where biological stability and sump life matter
- Cleanliness of machine and visibility of workpiece are important
- You want longer sump life and lower disposal frequency than soluble oils
For Drawing & Forming Operations
Choose HP Dramon 22 when:
- Operations are light-duty with thin materials
- Component is aluminium or copper — where sulphur staining must be avoided
- Post-forming cleaning and coating adhesion is a priority
Choose HP Dramon 68 when:
- Deep drawing thick steel sheets, LPG cylinders, or pressure vessel blanks
- Drawing alloy steel tubes or profiles where die protection is critical
- Multi-pass drawing operations without intermediate annealing and cleaning
Choose HP Dramon 460 when:
- High-carbon or alloy steel wire drawing in multi-die arrangements
- Cold heading fasteners from wire
- Maximum EP protection is required at the die entry
For Quenching Operations
Choose HP Quench 32 (Fast) when:
- Hardening plain carbon steels (1040, 1060, 1080) that require fast quench to achieve full hardness
- Case hardening of low-alloy carburized components (small gears, pins, bushes)
- Component sections are small and distortion risk is manageable
Choose HP Quench 68 (Medium) when:
- Hardening alloy steels (EN8, EN19, EN24, EN31, EN36, 20MnCr5, 16MnCr5)
- Component mix includes gears, shafts, and other precision components where distortion matters
- General-purpose heat treatment shop use across diverse components
- This is the recommended default grade for most Indian heat treatment shops
Choose HP Quench 150 (Slow/Marquench) when:
- Hardening high-alloy and tool steels (D2, H11, H13, M2, T1)
- Components are large-section or complex-geometry with high cracking/distortion risk
- Operating a marquenching or isothermal quenching process
- Precision components (gauges, dies, precision gears) where distortion must be minimised
SECTION 7: GST, HSN CODES & BUYING GUIDE FOR INDIAN MANUFACTURERS
GST & HSN Classification for HP Metal Processing Oils
Understanding the correct GST rate and HSN code for metal processing oils is important for accurate procurement cost calculation and input tax credit (ITC) claims.
| Product Type | HSN Code | GST Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Neat cutting oils (mineral oil base) | 2710 19 30 | 18% |
| Soluble / emulsifiable cutting oil concentrates | 3403 19 90 | 18% |
| Semi-synthetic cutting fluids | 3403 19 90 | 18% |
| Drawing and forming oils (mineral base) | 3403 19 10 | 18% |
| Quenching oils (mineral base) | 2710 19 30 | 18% |
| Rust preventive oils | 3403 19 90 | 18% |
| EDM / dielectric oils | 2710 19 30 | 18% |
ITC Note: All GST paid on metal processing oils purchased for manufacturing purposes is eligible for Input Tax Credit (ITC) under Section 16 of the CGST Act, 2017, provided the purchase is for business use and supported by a valid GST invoice from a registered dealer.
How to Buy HP Lubricants Metal Processing Oils in India
HP Lubricants products are available through a three-tier distribution system:
Tier 1 — Direct from HPCL (Very Large Buyers) Large manufacturers consuming more than 50,000 litres/year of specific products may be able to negotiate direct supply arrangements with HPCL’s lubricants division. This typically requires formal tender submission and volume commitment.
Tier 2 — Authorized HP Lubricants Distributors (Recommended) Authorized distributors carry genuine HP Lubricants products, can provide official product TDS/MSDS documentation, and offer technical support. Always insist on seeing the distributor’s HPCL authorization certificate to avoid counterfeit or adulterated products.
Tier 3 — B2B Platforms (LubeTrADeways) Online B2B lubricant trading platforms like LubeTrADeways connect buyers directly with verified HP Lubricants authorized dealers and distributors — providing competitive pricing, bulk discount availability, and the ability to compare multiple verified suppliers in one place.
SECTION 8: INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC APPLICATION GUIDANCE
Automotive Component Manufacturers
Recommended HP Products:
- Machining: HP Cutting Compound or HP Syntho Cut for CNC lines; HP Ratak 32/68 for gear cutting
- Stamping: HP Pressol for body panel press shops
- Heat treatment: HP Quench 68 for gear and shaft hardening
- Rust prevention: HP Rustilo 200 or DW 90 for inter-process protection
Fastener Manufacturers
Recommended HP Products:
- Wire drawing: HP Dramon 460 for cold heading wire
- Cold heading: HP Dramon 68 as pre-lubricant
- Heat treatment: HP Quench 32 for small fastener through-hardening; HP Quench 68 for alloy fasteners
- Rust prevention: HP Rustilo DW 90 post-wash protection
Tube & Pipe Manufacturers
Recommended HP Products:
- Tube drawing: HP Dramon 68 (steel tubes); HP Dramon 22 (copper/brass tubes)
- Weld seam machining: HP Cutting Compound
- Rust prevention: HP Rustilo 4 for outdoor storage
Tool Room & Die Making
Recommended HP Products:
- Precision grinding: HP Ratak 68 (neat) or HP Syntho Cut (water-based)
- EDM: HP Electra 40 (die sinking) or HP Electra 60 (wire-cut)
- Tool steel hardening: HP Quench 150
- Tool protection: HP Rustilo DW 90 or 200
Forging & Press Shops
Recommended HP Products:
- Forging lubricant: HP Dramon 68 (cold forging pre-lube)
- Hot forging: Graphite-based die lubricants (separate category)
- Post-forge machining: HP Cutting Compound or HP Ratak 32
Conclusion: Partner with an Authorized HP Lubricants Dealer for Expert Support
Metal processing oils are not simple commodity products. Each application — whether it’s a CNC turning centre running at 6,000 RPM, a deep drawing press forming LPG cylinders, or a pit furnace hardening EN24 alloy steel shafts — has unique lubrication requirements that directly impact component quality, process economics, and equipment life.
HP Lubricants, backed by HPCL’s decades of Indian industry experience and its nationwide distribution infrastructure, offers a metal processing oil range that is:
- Formulated for Indian conditions — including water hardness variations that affect emulsion stability, the prevalent grades of steel processed in Indian plants, and tropical climate storage requirements
- Competitively priced against imported alternatives with no sacrifice in performance
- Widely available through the largest authorized lubricant distribution network in India
- BIS-compliant for grades where Indian Standards specifications apply
- Technically supported through authorized dealers with on-site application support
As an authorized HP Lubricants dealer serving manufacturers across North India, we provide genuine HP metal processing oils at competitive prices — backed by technical support, prompt delivery, and full documentation for GST compliance.
To enquire about HP metal processing oils for your plant — cutting oils, drawing oils, quenching oils, or any specialty metalworking fluid — contact us today for pricing, samples, and application recommendations tailored to your specific operations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the difference between HP Ratak 32 and HP Ratak 68? HP Ratak 32 is a lighter grade suitable for general turning, boring, and gear cutting operations at moderate cutting speeds and loads. HP Ratak 68 is heavier and specifically suited for high-load operations like broaching, heavy gear hobbing, honing, and thread grinding where maximum EP protection and film retention are required.
Q2. Can HP Cutting Compound (soluble oil) be used for aluminium machining? HP Cutting Compound (soluble oil) can be used for aluminium in lower-specification applications, but HP Syntho Cut (semi-synthetic) is preferred for aluminium and aluminium alloy machining. Semi-synthetic fluids provide better chemical stability with aluminium, superior biological stability in the sump, and cleaner, more transparent working fluid.
Q3. Which HP quenching oil is best for gear hardening in India? HP Quench 68 (medium speed) is the most widely used and recommended grade for alloy steel gear hardening in Indian automotive and engineering plants. It provides the right balance of hardness achievement and distortion control for the most common Indian gear steel grades such as 20MnCr5, 16MnCr5, EN36, EN24, and EN19.
Q4. What is the HSN code and GST rate for cutting oil in India? Neat cutting oils (petroleum-derived) fall under HSN 2710 19 30 at 18% GST. Emulsifiable (soluble) cutting oil concentrates fall under HSN 3403 19 90 at 18% GST. All purchases for manufacturing use are eligible for Input Tax Credit (ITC).
Q5. How do I prevent bacterial contamination in my cutting oil sump? Use HP Syntho Cut (semi-synthetic) which has superior biological stability. For soluble oil systems: maintain pH above 8.5 using pH strips or a meter, top up with concentrate (not pre-mixed emulsion), prevent tramp oil contamination using a skimmer, and use a biocide treatment if bacterial count (measured by dip slides) exceeds 10⁵ CFU/ml.
Q6. Can HP Dramon drawing oils be used for non-ferrous metals (copper, brass, aluminium)? HP Dramon 22 is safe for non-ferrous metals — it uses non-active (non-staining) sulphur chemistry. HP Dramon 68 uses active sulphur EP additives which can cause staining on copper and brass — it should only be used on ferrous metals. Always confirm with your HP Lubricants authorized dealer before using on non-ferrous substrates.
Q7. Where can I buy genuine HP Lubricants metal processing oils in North India? Genuine HP Lubricants products are available through HPCL-authorized distributors across North India — in cities including Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Delhi NCR, Ambala, Patiala, Hisar, and Panipat. You can also source through verified online B2B platforms like LubeTrADeways which lists authorized HP Lubricants dealers with current pricing and availability.
Q8. What pack sizes are HP metal processing oils available in? HP metal processing oils are available in 1L bottles, 5L and 20L cans, 50L drums, and 210L barrels (standard full drums). Some products are also available in 1,000L IBC containers for large-volume users. Contact your authorized dealer for pack size availability and bulk pricing.
