Disclosed is a metal working composition comprising a major amount of water and a minor amount of an additive comprising(A) at least one carboxylic ester characterized by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.0 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, --CH.sub.2 COOR.sup.2 or --CH.sub.2 CO(OCHR.sup.5 CH.sub.2).sub.n OR.sup.6, R.sup.1 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, R.sup.2 is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, R.sup.3 is hydrogen or --CO(OCHR.sup.5 CH.sub.2).sub.n OR.sup.6, R.sup.5 is hydrogen or a methyl group, R.sup.6 is an aliphatic group containing from 4 to 30 carbon atoms or a phenyl or aliphatic substituted phenyl group wherein the aliphatic substituent contains from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R.sup.4 is --COOR.sup.2, or --CO(OCHR.sup.5 CH.sub.2).sub.n OR.sup.6 and n is an integer of from 1 to 30; with the proviso that when R.sup.0 does not equal hydrogen, methyl or ethyl that R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 are hydrogen and(B) at least one rust inhibitor comprising(1) an amine acid salt or amide;(2) a nitrogen-containing, phosphorus-free carboxylic composition;(3) an amine; or(4) an alkoxylated amine.