B Physical Properties of Fluids

4.0

2.0

1.0
8 Glycerin
6
Castor oil
4

1 × 10–1
8
6
SAE 30W oil
4
SAE 10W-30 oil
2
SAE 10W oil

1 × 10–2
µ , Dynamic viscosity, N • s/m2

8
6

4
Kerosene

2
Mercury
1 × 10–3
8 Octane Carbon tetrachloride
6
4 Heptane

Water
2

1 × 10–4
8
6
4
Air Carbon dioxide Methane
Helium
2

1 × 10–5
8
6 Hydrogen

–20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Temperature, °C

■ Figure B.1 Dynamic (absolute) viscosity of common fluids as a function of tempera-

ture. To convert to BG units of lb ⴢ sⲐft2 multiply N ⴢ sⲐm2 by 2.089 ⴛ 10 ⴚ2. (Curves from
R. W. Fox and A. T. McDonald, Introduction to Fluid Mechanics, 3rd Ed., Wiley, New York,
1985. Used by permission.)

737
738 Appendix B ■ Physical Properties of Fluids

1 × 10–2
8
6
4

SA

Gl
yc
E

er
30
1 × 10–3

in
W
8 SA

oil
E
6 10
W
4 –3
0
oi
l
2 Helium

Hydrogen
1 × 10–4
ν , Kinematic viscosity, m2/s

8
6 SA
E
4 10
W
oil Methane
2 Air

1 × 10–5 oxide
8 Carbon di
6
4

Kero
2 sene

Octa Wat
ne er
1 × 10–6
8
6
Heptane
4
Carbon te
trachlor ide
2
Mercury
1 × 10–7
8
–20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Temperature, °C

■ Figure B.2 Kinematic viscosity of common fluids (at atmospheric pressure) as a

function of temperature. To convert to BG units of ft2Ⲑs multiply m2 Ⲑs by 10.76. (Curves
from R. W. Fox and A. T. McDonald, Introduction to Fluid Mechanics, 3rd Ed., Wiley,
New York, 1985. Used by permission.)