Experiment No.

Aim
To determine the viscosity of a given sample of a
lubricating oil using Redwood Viscometer (No.1 and
No.2)

Apparatus required and reagent required

• Redwood viscometer No.1 and No.2
• Stopwatch
• Lubricating Oil
Theory

Viscosity is the property of a liquid or a fluid by virtue of which it

offer resistance to its own flow. If two layer of a liquid separated by a
distance ‘d’ and moving with a relative velocity difference ‘V’ then
force per unit area (F) required to maintain the velocity difference is
given by

UNITS OF VISCOSITY
C.G.S system : 1 poise = 1dyne/sec/cm2
And 1 centi poise = 1/100 poise
S.I. system : Newton second/m2 (NS/m2)
 Theory
Viscosity is the most important single property of any lubricating oil. If
the viscosity of the oil is too low, a liquid oil film cannot be maintained
between two moving surfaces and excessive wearing takes place. In case
of heavy pressure and low speed machine less viscous oils will be easily
squeezed out hence thick viscous oil are used. Similarly, in light
machine less viscous oil are used. In industry viscosity of lubricating oil
is determine by Redwood viscometer the measure of viscosity of oil is
the time required in seconds for 50ml oil sample to flow through
standard orifice under a given set of conditions. It is of two types : (1)
Redwood viscometer No.1 and ( 2) Redwood viscometer No.2. The
difference between these two are viscometer no.1 is used to determine
the viscosities of thin lubricating oils. It has a jet of bore diameter
1.62mm and length 10mm. Viscometer no. 2 is used to determine the
viscosities of thick lubricating oils. It has a jet of diameter 3.8 mm and
length 15mm.
Theory
Procedure:
The apparatus is leveled and water bath is filled with water. A
thermometer is placed in water bath. The oil cup is cleaned and ball
of value on the agate jet to close it. An empty cleaned Kohlrausch
flask is kept just below the jet. The experimental oil is listed in oil
cup up to a pointer. A thermometer is also placed in oil cup to read
the temperature of the oil. Now water bath is heated upto a certain
temperature with constant stirring the water. When the oil acquires
the desired temperature, heating is stopped and the ball value is
lifted and suspended from thermometer jacket. The time taken for
50 ml of the oil to pass through the agate jet and collected into
Kohlrausch flask is noted. Note the value immediately close to
prevent any overflow of the oil. The experiment is repeated and the
mean value of time of flow 50ml. oil sample is reported as a result
expressed in Redwood No.1 seconds at a particular temperature.
Repeat the experiment at five different temperatures and note
respective times of efflux.
Procedure
Observations

Sr.No. Temperature Efflux Time Efflux Time

(degree Celsius) (sec.) (sec.)
For Water For Oil
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
 Calculation:
The experiment is repeated with an experimental oil sample and a
standard oil (or water ) liquid and the efflux time of 50 ml liquid is
noted then,
Results
The viscosity of given lubricating oil at T (degree Celsius)
is ………………….poise.
Precaution
• With a suitable solvent, properly wash the cup and receiver
time. Before repeating the test, both the cup and the receiver
should be properly dried.
• Receiving flask should be placed in such a way that the oil is
directly collected and no trace of oil is lost.
• Before testing for viscosity, filter the lubricating oil through a
100 mesh wire sieve.
Thank You