Michelle Bennett – Heat Treat Today 40 Under 40
She is responsible for the Used Oil Analysis Program that the company offers for heat treat clients in North America. Her role includes writing the comments and recommendations for oil sample analysis results and contacting clients in cases of abnormal results that can cause malfunction or risks for the operations. When oils are out of specification, Michelle makes recommendations as to things clients can do to get the oil back in spec. While overseeing the Used Oil Analysis Program, Michelle shortened response time from multiple weeks to approximately five business days.
Throughout her career at Idemitsu, Michelle ensures that clients receive Nadcap and CQI-9 compliant used quench oil reports. The tests she runs are the JIS K 2242 and ASTM D 6200 for cooling curves, ASTM D 6549 to determine the maximum cooling rate and the temperature at the maximum cooling rate, in addition to the normal ASTM tests for pH, viscosity, sludge, Karl Fisher moisture testing, flash point and total acid number. Michelle also uses the JIS K 2242 to determine the coefficient of heat transfer for a quench oil.
Michelle is also trained and certified to use the Fourier transfer infrared analysis spectrometer (FTIR), as well as ICP (inductively coupled plasma spectrometer). The FTIR and ICP analysis allow Michelle to determine the composition of quench oils and if there is any unwanted contamination, any thermal breakdown due to pyrolysis, or other factors causing excessive stress on a quench oil.
When the clients have unusual issues such as staining, residues, water, etc. and they can send parts or additional oil samples, Michelle will do special testing to identify the issue and how to correct it. Sometimes this even means helping to make changes to the process if it shows that the contamination is a rinse or cleaner. Because of this, she is a known person in the community, and it’s common to hear compliments from clients about her great work.
Michelle not only oversees the in-service testing, but also the quality at Idemitsu’s contract blenders by conducting yearly audits of the five locations and routinely receiving samples, which the team cross checks for lab reproducibility. Michelle oversees and teaches two new technicians on how to conduct the testing and think with a more critical mind and notice if there are trends in the test results that could start to cause problems, such as acid value or pentane sludge that is creeping up.
Michelle provided the research for and co-authored a paper published by Heat Treat Today (“Heat Treater vs. Water: Best Practices to Avoid Water Contamination”), describing the effects of water in a quench oil. Michelle researched and analyzed the ways water stays in solution or falls free and the effects this has on the oil and the quenching properties. Idemitsu continuously receives positive feedback on Michelle’s professionalism and passion with clients. She is truly worthy of being recognized as a young leader.
