HSE Information. If you have been asked by the HSE to check your metalworking fluids to comply with health and safety, these (MCBTM2) are the correct dipslides. You will need an incubator to use dipslides. We have kits specifically for the metalworking industry with instruction manuals here.

Metal Cutting Fluid Dipslides (Box of 10)

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Includes TTC
Red Spot Dye

Metal Cutting Fluid Dipslides (MCBTM2™) used to comply with HSE testing regulations.

Each dipslide box includes 10 dipslide tests.

Pack Size

10 dipslides

£11.96

	Rapid delivery
	Made in the UK
	Manufactured in ISO 9001 certified conditions.
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Volume Discounts
Order 25 or more boxes	Receive a 2.5% discount	Price per box £11.66
Order 50 or more boxes	Receive a 5.27% discount	Price per box £11.33
Order 100 or more boxes	Receive a 8.92% discount	Price per box £10.89
Order 250 or more boxes	Receive a 14.24% discount	Price per box £10.26
Order 500 or more boxes	Receive a 18.89% discount	Price per box £9.70
Order 1000 or more boxes	Receive a 33.65% discount	Price per box £7.94

Product Information
Front Agar Type	Nutrient TTC
Front Agar Colour	Straw
Front Agar Growth	Total Count (TTC / Red Spot)
Rear Agar Type	Malt Extract
Rear Agar Colour	Brown
Rear Agar Growth	Yeasts & Moulds
Shelf Life	6 to 8 months
Certification	ISO 9001
Suggested Incubation Times	24 - 120 Hours
Suggested Incubation Temp	30°C

About the metal cutting fluid dipslides (box of 10)

Why do I need Metal Cutting Fluid Dipslides?

Frequent bacteria testing of metalworking fluids is essential for a healthy working environment. Bacterial contamination of the fluid makes it degrade after a certain amount of use and high bacteria levels will make it unsafe for use. Respiratory irritation / infection are a risk here and contaminated fluids can contribute to allergic reactions and breathing problems such as asthma. Fluids with high levels of microbiological contaminants can also cause skin irritation and contact dermatitis. Eye, nose and throat irritation can also occur.

In addition to affecting human health, high bacteria levels in metalworking fluids can make it more corrosive to metals and machinery and can cause damage to both.

Weekly dipslide tests are advised by the Health and Safety Executive. For further reading on this, you can visit their site:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/metalworking/bacterial.htm

Metal cutting / lathe cutting fluid microbiological testing is very important. As well as frequent testing, you may wish to consider adopting the following precautions (to avoid contact with contaminated fluids).

wear protective clothing,
use effective ventilation
proper use of biocides
replace fluids regularly

Each box contains 10 dipslides. The price shown is for 1 box of Metal Cutting Dipslides.

These dipslides test for bacteria on one side of the dipslide and yeasts and moulds on the other side.

How to use MCBTM2 dipslides to test metalworking fluids

Dip the slide into the metal cutting fluid (MWF).

Dip slide into fluid

Fully submerse the dipslide (so all the agar is covered) into your cutting fluid sample for 10 seconds. After which, remove the slide and allow the fluid to drain off before returning it to the tube.

Place dipslide into the incubator

Place the dipslide into your incubator and inbucate for 24-120 hours (see instruction sheet for exact times).

Compare the dipslide results with the comparison chart.

Review Results

Remove the dip slide from the incubator and compare the results with the comparison chart provided.

Why choose our Cutting Fluid Microbiological Dipslides?

Our MCBTM2™ dipslides are ideal for testing metalworking fluids. These metal cutting fluid dipslides test for total count (aerobic / bacteria microbes) on one side and yeasts / moulds on the other. This offers a broad spectrum test so that you can monitor yeasts and moulds as well as bacteria. Our MCBTM2™ dipslides also feature the following:

Flexible Paddle

Each dipslide features a virtually unbreakable and flexible paddle.

Easy Run Off Design

Due to the design of the dipslide, fluids will drain off quickly during testing.

Recessed Handle

Each slide has a handle built into the lid that is recessed to help keep your fingers dry during testing.

Side Indicator

One side of the slide will have a circle indicator so you know which side was used for testing which type of contaminant.

Dual Sided

Each dipslide is dual sided to allow multiple contamination testing with one test.

Thick Reliable Agar

Each agar is thick (approx 4mm) and raised above the dipslide to allow for easy surface testing.

Why not team these slides with one of our Gnat incubators so that you are fully set up to view and interpret your results?

Reading the results

	Nutrient Side
Level of infection in liquids (CFU/ml)	10²	10³	10⁴	10⁵	10⁶	10⁷
Approx colonies per agar	2	12	60	200	500	600+
HSE.gov.uk advice	Good control. Bacteria are being maintained at low levels. Regular checks and actions to maintain the fluid quality should continue.		Reasonable control. Review and take action to check the quality of the metalworking fluid and adjust fluid parameters to those recommended by the supplier. If bacterial growth continues despite these adjustments, add biocide at the dose recommended by your supplier.		Poor control. Immediate action should be taken in line with the risk assessment. Normally draining and cleaning should take place
Example Image
Level of infection on surfaces (CFU/cm2)	0.4	2.5	12	40	100	250

	Malt Extract Side
Level of yeasts in liquids (CFU/ml)	10²	10³	10⁴	10⁵	10⁶	10⁷
Approx yeasts colonies per agar	2	12	60	200	500	600+
Example Image
Level of yeasts on surfaces (CFU/cm2)	0.4	2.5	12	40	100	250

	Malt Extract Side
Level of moulds	Light	Medium	Heavy
Example Image

Related UK & International Guidelines / Regulations

MW5 ('Managing sumps and bacterial contamination') -

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations as regulated by HSE

ASTM E2693 -

Standard Practice for Prevention of Dermatitis in the Wet Metal Removal Fluid Environment

ASTM E2657 -

Standard Practice for Determination of Endotoxin Concentrations in Water-Miscible Metalworking Fluids

ASTM E2275 -

Standard Practice for Evaluating Water-Miscible Metalworking Fluid Bioresistance and Antimicrobial Pesticide Performance

ASTM E2169 -

Standard Practice for Selecting Antimicrobial Pesticides for Use in Water-Miscible Metalworking Fluids

Customer Questions

Q	What are HSE dipslides?
A	Microbiological dipslides are recommended by the HSE to test for bacterial contamination in metal cutting fluids. Dipslides are sterile paddles that have culture / growth medium on them. The dipslides will grow bacterial colonies if there is bacteria in the cutting fluid. Dipslides are dipped within the fluid before they are incubated at 30 degrees C. After the dipslides are incubated, the user can compare with the chart provided to assess their results. The HSE recommend weekly tests for bacterial contamination in metalworking fluids. The chart on this page and in our metal cutting kit manuals, also include HSE guidelines regarding unacceptable levels of bacteria. Once you have incubated your dipslides, you can check your results against the chart to make sure bacterial levels are within the acceptable HSE guidelines. We recommend these dipslides to meet the guidelines / comply with HSE regulations.
Q	What is the shelf life of the metal cutting fluid dipslides?
A	All dip slides have a minimum of 6 months shelf life (maximum of 8 months). If you have any further questions, please let us know.
Q	Do you have these currently available? If so can you advise on the lead time?
A	Yes, these are in stock and available for dispatch. Delivery varies depending on location but dispatch time is usually same day (if ordered during business hours).
Q	Does it need to be paced into an incubator or can it simply set out in ambient temperatures?
A	Hi, we recommend the use of an incubator as this gives a constant temperature of 30 degrees c and will give more accurate results.
Q	On HSE's website it says to search for 'microbiological + dipslides'. Are these dipslides suitable for metal fluid testing?
A	Yes, these microbiological dipslides are the tests that we recommend for this application. They test metal cutting / working fluids for bacteria as well as yeasts and moulds and are popular with all of our customers that work in this industry. As you can see by our chart on this page, we have added HSE guidelines to help you assess how to proceed once you have evaluated your level of contamination.
Q	I am testing 2 machines using the same brand of cutting fluid and for the second time the readings are 1st machine-lots of mould and no bacteria 2nd machine-lots of bacteria and no mould. what is the reason to this if any. please advise.
A	Due to the amount of factors involved in contamination, it is likely that each machine will have different microbiological contaminants. Each machine can become contaminated through many different means e..g mould spores can come in through a window/door or on someones clothes (and in turn enter the fluid). Bacteria can be introduced through hands, hair, skin, sweat, saliva, raw materials such as water or tools and this can be made worse by differing fluid quality e.g pH levels. It is definitely not unusual for each machine to have a different level / type of contamination.
Q	I have just ordered an orion incubator & MCBTM2™ dip slides - does a comparison chart come with either of these for comparing the test results? (as shown in step 4 of the instructions above)
A	Thank you for your order. The dipslides come with a simple comparison chart inside each box. However, the chart on 'step 4' can be downloaded from https://dip-slides.com/content/7-dipslide-comparison-charts. There are also examples of the MCBTM2™ dipslides after incubation (on https://dip-slides.com/home/31-metal-cutting-fluid-dipslides-box-of-10.html) under the "READING THE RESULTS" section.
Q	Do you have a similar table to the bacterial content for the mould growth - especial with the HSE advice on acceptable levels as I am unable to find reference to mould growth on the HSE metal working fluid pages
A	Hello, As far as we are aware there are no specific guidelines regarding the yeast & mould count. However, we have contacted the HSE to see if we can get further clarification on this. We would also recommend that you discuss this with any health and safety liaisons that you have. This being said, if your fluid shows a high yeast / mould count, we would suggest that action is required.
Q	Which industrial fluids / applications are these dipslides suitable for testing?
A	These dipslides are ideal for testing cutting fluids, oils, lubricants and coolants. Ideal applications include metalworking, metal cutting, machining, Grinding, CNC.