KINEMATIC VISCOSITY (ASTM D-445)

Scope: Determination of Kinematic viscosity in oils.

Method: ASTM D445

TERMINOLOGY:
Measurement of kinematic viscosity of liquid petroleum products, both transparent and
opaque, by measuring the time for a volume of liquid to flow under gravity through a
calibrated glass capillary viscometer.

Apparatus: Viscometers, Viscometer holders, Temperature measuring device, Stop

watches, Rubber bulb, Calculator.

CHEMICALS: (for cleaning purpose of viscometers):

Tetrachloroethylene/ Chloroform/ Hexane/ Xylene/ Acetone (dry)
(Note: Acetone extremely flammable)

EQUATION: Kinematic viscosity (V) = Viscometer constant(C) X time (t) in seconds

DETERMINATION OF K.V IN 40˚C AND 100˚C TEMPERATURE.

Power on the KV BATH Instrument, Set temperature to 40 or 100˚C, allow the KV bath
to reach the constant temperature.

Take the clean dry viscometer, mount the viscometer in a vertical position in a
constant temperature KV Bath, holder fastened to the constant temperature bath lid.

Pipette or pour the sample into tube A of the clean dry viscometer until the leading
edge of the meniscus flows through the cross arm and up to mark B. After temp
equilibrium has been established, adjust the level of the meniscus at B by adding or
removing a few drops of sample through tube A.

Allow approximately 10minutes for the sample to come to the bath temperature at 40
deg C and 15 minutes at 100 deg C.

To measure flow time, apply slight suction to tube E (or slight pressure to tube A) to
start flow over siphon through capillary D. Measure the time for the leading edge of
the meniscus (this may be at the wall for the lower viscosity sizes and at the center
for higher viscosity sizes) to pass from timing marks H to F. Bulb G is on left side as
shown for sizes 1 through 6, and on the right side for sizes 7 through 10.

Calculate the K.V in cSt of the sample by multiplying the efflux time in seconds by the
viscometer constant.

VISCOMETER CLEENING PROCEDURE:

Between successive determinations of kinematic viscosity, viscometer should be clean

thoroughly by rinsing with the suitable solvents like Tetrachloroethelene, Chloroform,
Xylene, toluene. And dry the tubes by using Acetone or passing slow stream of filtered
dry air through the viscometer for two minutes.

LUBE EXPERT
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