Cutting oils are essential in metalworking as they lubricate and cool the cutting tool and workpiece during machining operations. According to their chemical impact on the metal surface, cutting oils can be active or inactive. Active cutting oils contain additives that chemically react with the metal surfaces. Inactive cutting oils, on the other hand, do not contain such additives and do not chemically react with the metal surface, and are perfect for processing ferrous, nonferrous, and white metals. Explore more.