在正确选择润滑剂之前，必须充分识别摩擦学系统。该系统包括特定于应用程序的运动类型、速度、温度、负载和环境。一旦确定了这些参数，润滑工程师或摩擦学工程师就可以利用他或她的不同润滑剂化学知识来选择润滑剂，从而优化应用性能。除了润滑剂化学知识外，润滑工程师还必须根据确定的摩擦学系统分析应用。该分析包括速度系数、弹流润滑、极压润滑、紧急润滑和各种特殊应用要求等主题。

BEFORE THE PROPER LUBRICANT SELECTION CAN BE MADE, THE TRIBOLOGICAL SYSTEM MUST BE IDENTIFIED TO ITS FULLEST EXTENT. THIS SYSTEM INCLUDES THE TYPE OF MOTION, SPEEDS, TEMPERATURES, LOADS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO THE APPLICATION. ONCE THESE PARAMETERS ARE IDENTIFIED, THE LUBRICATION ENGINEER OR TRIBO-ENGINEER CAN USE HIS OR HER KNOWLEDGE OF THE DIFFERENT LUBRICANT CHEMISTRIES TO MAKE A LUBRICANT SELECTION THAT WILL OPTIMIZE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE APPLICATION. IN ADDITION TO LUBRICANT CHEMISTRY KNOWLEDGE, THE LUBRICATION ENGINEER ALSO MUST ANALYZE THE APPLICATION BASED ON THE IDENTIFIED TRIBOLOGICAL SYSTEM. THIS ANALYSIS INCLUDES SUCH TOPICS AS SPEED FACTORS, ELASTOHYDRODYNAMIC LUBRICATION, EXTREME PRESSURE LUBRICATION, EMERGENCY LUBRICATION AND VARIOUS SPECIAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.