MolaKule
Staff member
Interesting and technically challenging.
Basically, here is the process:
A. Determine or define Specification for Lubricant based on such factors as Application, temperature range, etc. In a large company, Marketing feedback may supply some data.
B. Formulation requirements. On paper or computer, define basic formulation using various base oils and additives. Determine interactions among additives and base oils from technical literature or simulations.
C. Determine additives and base oil supply needed for laboratory experimentation, and vendors who can supply them. Acquire those supplies. If in large company, contact additive division and schedule time slots for laboratory use.
D. Formulate potential candidates. Send sample candidates to ASTM qualified labs for testing and analysis.
E. Select best candidate formulations for further tribological analysis. This may include actual dyno tests and various engine sequence tests. Analyze results of tests.
F. Take best tribo candidates (now narrowed down to a few candidates) and put them in company (your own or someone else's) fleet cars and trucks and track performance with scheduled UOA's.
G. Tweak formulation(s) to show improvements such as lower wear, extended mileage gains, extended OCI's, etc.
H. In large company, send recipe to committe for review on such items as cost, performance, risk analysis, etc. In small company, you determine risk, etc.
I. In large company, receive feedback from marketing and cost accounting. You may be forced to economize formulation in order to meet costing goals and ROI. In small company, you determine how much product will cost, and you do not have to conceede performance verses cost; you still need to do an ROI and determine market risk to maintain some profit and cash flow, else why stay in business.
J. In large company, determine labeling and marketing strategy (hype). In small company, label to specifications and keep marketing costs as low as possible. For the entrpeneur and small company, the Internet has provided a great marketing/communication tool.
BTW, this process requires 18 months to two years or more, depending on scale of operation.
Basically, here is the process:
A. Determine or define Specification for Lubricant based on such factors as Application, temperature range, etc. In a large company, Marketing feedback may supply some data.
B. Formulation requirements. On paper or computer, define basic formulation using various base oils and additives. Determine interactions among additives and base oils from technical literature or simulations.
C. Determine additives and base oil supply needed for laboratory experimentation, and vendors who can supply them. Acquire those supplies. If in large company, contact additive division and schedule time slots for laboratory use.
D. Formulate potential candidates. Send sample candidates to ASTM qualified labs for testing and analysis.
E. Select best candidate formulations for further tribological analysis. This may include actual dyno tests and various engine sequence tests. Analyze results of tests.
F. Take best tribo candidates (now narrowed down to a few candidates) and put them in company (your own or someone else's) fleet cars and trucks and track performance with scheduled UOA's.
G. Tweak formulation(s) to show improvements such as lower wear, extended mileage gains, extended OCI's, etc.
H. In large company, send recipe to committe for review on such items as cost, performance, risk analysis, etc. In small company, you determine risk, etc.
I. In large company, receive feedback from marketing and cost accounting. You may be forced to economize formulation in order to meet costing goals and ROI. In small company, you determine how much product will cost, and you do not have to conceede performance verses cost; you still need to do an ROI and determine market risk to maintain some profit and cash flow, else why stay in business.
J. In large company, determine labeling and marketing strategy (hype). In small company, label to specifications and keep marketing costs as low as possible. For the entrpeneur and small company, the Internet has provided a great marketing/communication tool.
BTW, this process requires 18 months to two years or more, depending on scale of operation.
