FLUID MECHANICS

(ENGR 312)
CH. 2 – VISCOSITY OF FLUIDS

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2.1 – OBJECTIVES
• Define dynamic viscosity
• Define kinematic viscosity
• ID the units of viscosity in both the SI and English systems
• Describe the difference between Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids
• Describe the methods of viscosity measurement using the rotating-drum, the capillary-tube, the falling-
ball, and the Saybolt Universal viscometers
• Describe the variation of viscosity with temperature for both liquids and gases and define viscosity
index
• ID several types of commercially available viscometers
• Describe the viscosity of lubricants using the SAE viscosity grades and the ISO viscosity grades
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2.2 – DYNAMIC VISCOSITY
• Remember shear stress? 𝜏
• Say that 𝜏 is what is required to slide one (miniscule) layer of fluid over another
• The layer has some area, so it is a force over an area

• This resistance to movement is dynamic viscosity

∆𝑣
𝜏=𝜂
∆𝑦

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2.2 – DYNAMIC VISCOSITY

• What are the units?

∆𝑣 𝜏 ∆𝑦
𝜏=𝜂 →𝜂= =𝜏
∆𝑦 ∆𝑣Τ∆𝑦 ∆𝑣

• SI:
∆𝑦 N m N∙s N∙s kg∙m s kg
𝜂=𝜏 = 2× = 2 = Pa∙s 𝜂= = × =
∆𝑣 m mΤs m m2 s2 m2 m∙s

• English
∆𝑦 lb ft lb∙s slug 4
𝜂=𝜏 = × = =
∆𝑣 ft 2 ftΤs ft 2 ft∙s
2.2 – DYNAMIC VISCOSITY
• Based on size of values, Pa-s are too small, so mPa-s can be used
• 1 mPa-s = 1 centipoise

• Useful range of fluid viscosities: 0.10 mPa-s < 𝜂 < 60,000 mPa-s

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2.3 – KINEMATIC VISCOSITY
• Kinematic viscosity = fluid’s resistance to flow only under the effects of gravity

𝜂 1 kg m3 m2
𝜈= =𝜂× = × =
𝜌 𝜌 m∙s kg s

• Based on size of values, m2/s are too large, so mm2/s can be used
• 1 mm2/s = 1 centistoke

• Useful range of fluid viscosities: 0.10 mm2/s < 𝜂 < 70,000 mm2/s

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2.3 – KINEMATIC VISCOSITY

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2.4 – NEWTONIAN AND NON-NEWTONIAN FLUIDS
• Newtonian fluids are the majority of what we will cover
• Just be aware of the special non-Newtonian cases
• Pseudoplastic
• Dilatent
• Bingham

• Actively adjustable fluids are cool

• Electrorheological Fluids
• Magnetorheological Fluids

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2.5 – VARIATION OF VISCOSITY WITH TEMPERATURE

• Heat up your pancake syrup, what happens when you pour it?
• As fluids heat up, their viscosity decreases
• But, to what degree?

• Viscosity Index
• Measure indicator of the magnitude of change the viscosity of a fluid will
change with temperature
• Something that you look up in tables/charts
• ↑ VI → ↓ ∆𝜂 and ↓ VI → ↑ ∆𝜂
• This is a factor in selecting fluids
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2.6 – VISCOSITY MEASUREMENT
• Viscometers
• Rotating Drum (pretty simple and common)

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2.6 – VISCOSITY MEASUREMENT
• Viscometers
• Capillary Tube Viscometer
• Standard Calibrated Glass Capillary Viscometers
• Saybolt Universal Viscometer

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2.6 – VISCOSITY MEASUREMENT
• Viscometers
• Falling Ball Viscometer

𝛾𝑠 − 𝛾𝑓 𝐷2
𝜂=
18𝑣

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2.6 – VISCOSITY MEASUREMENT
𝛾𝑠 − 𝛾𝑓 𝐷2
Example: 𝜂=
18𝑣
In a falling ball viscometer, a steel ball 1.6 mm in diameter is allowed to fall freely in a heavy fuel
oil having a specific gravity of 0.94. Steel weighs 77 kN/m3. If the ball is observed to fall 250 mm
in 10.4 s, calculate the viscosity of the oil

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2.7 – SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
• SAE has designated various levels of grades
• 0W, 5W, 10W, etc…
• 20, 30, 40, etc…

• The W denotes a heavy weight fluid that is good at cold temperatures

• The number only designates a good lubricity at temperature
• Multiviscosity fluids like 10W-30 are very standard in automotive
• Good cold engine start
• Good lubricity at warm engine operating conditions
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
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2.8 – ISO VISCOSITY GRADES
• Generally used to describe industrial lubricants, oils,
hydraulic fluids, etc…
• Machine/component designers will specify ISO code for
required fluids
• The ISO number ~ Kinematic viscosity at 40°C
• Higher ISO number = higher viscosity value

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 2.9 – HYDRAULIC FLUID FOR FLUID POWER SYSTEMS
• Hydraulic fluids follow with the other fluids
• Viscosity needs to be tailored to the environment
• Extra concerns need to be considered for lubricity of the fluid for
internal moving parts
• There are more than just petroleum based oils available

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

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This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA