KEVOS® MAKEOS · Materials
Mixture Cost and Blending (Alligation)
What does this mixture cost per kilogram, or in what proportions do two ingredients blend to a target value?
Rule of mixtures (alligation): cost or any additive property per unit of a mixture of up to four ingredients by weighted average, and the proportions of two ingredients that blend to a target value (alligation alternate), with the quantities for a batch.
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How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Calculation | choice | Average a mixture, or find blend proportions. |
| Mixture (quantity 0 = unused) | ||
| Quantity 1 | kg | Quantity of ingredient 1 (any consistent unit). |
| Value 1 (price per kg or property) | Its price per unit or its value of an additive property (for example a concentration). | |
| Quantity 2 | kg | Quantity of ingredient 2. |
| Value 2 | Its value. | |
| Quantity 3 | kg | Quantity of ingredient 3. |
| Value 3 | Its value. | |
| Quantity 4 | kg | Quantity of ingredient 4. |
| Value 4 | Its value. | |
| Blend | ||
| Value of ingredient A | Value of the first blend ingredient (for example concentration %). | |
| Value of ingredient B | Value of the second blend ingredient. | |
| Target value | Value wanted in the blend; must lie between the two. | |
| Batch size | kg | Total quantity to make. |
Method and formulas
- Mixture: value per unit = Σ (quantity × value) ÷ Σ quantity (handbook alloy example: $150.80 ÷ 85 lb ≈ $1.77 per lb).
- Blend: share of A = (v_B − v_T) ÷ (v_B − v_A); share of B = 1 − share of A.
- Example: the four ingredients average 1.7741 per unit.
Limitations
- Valid only for properties that mix linearly by quantity (cost, mass concentration); not for viscosity, strength or hardness.
- Process losses and mixing costs are not included.
- Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.
Typical uses
- Cost an alloy or compound from its ingredients
- Blend two coolants, oils or powders to a target concentration
- Mix two grades to a target property or price
Who it is for
- Process engineers
- Buyers
- Foundry and mixing supervisors
What you get
- Value of the mixture per unit
- Blend proportions
- Quantities for the batch
Interpreting the result
- For coolants and solutions, blend by mass or volume consistently with how the concentration is defined.
References
- Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 384. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
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