Minimum Quantity lubrication environment may produce mist across the thermal image camera. This mist acts as a “shield” for infrared radiation and also the dispersion of finer droplets in the mist can severely limit the range of a thermal imaging system due to the scattering of light. The higher the density of droplets, the more the infrared signal is diminished.
The thermal camera analyses the temperature variation with respect to the emissivity of the material. Machining at wet conditions may produce variation in the emissivity of the workpiece/tool. In addition, lubricant creates a fog around the machining area.