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.

The expiry date of the current batch can be found under the 'buy now' button.
If you have any further questions, please let us know.

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).

Hi, we recommend the use of an incubator as this gives a constant temperature of 30 degrees c and will give more accurate results.

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.

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.

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.

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.

These dipslides are ideal for testing cutting fluids, oils, lubricants and coolants. Ideal applications include metalworking, metal cutting, machining, Grinding, CNC.