UNIVERSITY OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Course Code: INCT2002

Laboratory Experiment
Kinematic Viscosity Measurement (ASTM D445 & D446)

1.0 TITLE: To determine the kinematic viscosity of various petroleum products

2.0 OBJECTIVES:

This lab would be conducting test on three different types of oil samples on finding the
kinematic viscosity. With the use of a constant temperature bath, vacuum pump and a
stopwatch multiple test was taken on these samples and the kinematic viscosity by
sample by multiplying the efflux time in seconds by the viscometer constant.

THEORY

As discussed in the objectives of the lab, this lab would be conducting test on three
different types of oil samples on finding the kinematic viscosity. Finding the viscosity or
thickness of oil is critical for the circumstance that it determines the lubricant’s film
strength and efficiency in preventing the friction between moving parts. Oil that is thick
is highly viscous, whereas oil that is thin has low viscosity. So by comparing the
viscosity of the three oils(10-W-30 Fully Synthetic Motor Oil, API TC 2 Cycle Motor
Oil, Sae 90 motor oil) we would determine if the oils are high in viscosity or not and
which of these are the best.

3.0 APPARATUS AND MATERIAL

Viscometers
Constant temperature bath
Thermometer
Stop watch
Sample
Vacuum pump
4.0 PROCEDURE
4.1 Invert the viscometer and apply suction to tube L, while tube N is immersed into
the sample liquid. Draw the liquid until it reaches mark F. Wipe arm N and turn
the instrument to its normal position.
4.2 Place the viscometer into the holder, and insert it into the constant temperature
bath.
4.3 Leave the sample in the bath for approximately 5mins so that the sample would
come to the bath temperature of 40°C.
4.4 Apply suction to tube N and draw the liquid slightly above mark E.
4.5 Take and record the efflux time for the liquid to flow freely (i.e. the time taken for
the sample to flow from mark E to F).
4.6 Calculate the kinematic viscosity in mm2/s (cSt) of the sample by multiplying the
efflux time in seconds by the viscometer constant stated in the table below.
Viscometer Viscometer
Apparatus No.
Constant at 40ºC Constant at 100ºC
and Type
(mm2/s2 or cSt/s) (mm2/s2 or cSt/s)

200/J935 0.1055 0.1051

300/E459 0.2150 0.2140

300/E473 0.2196 0.2185

4.7 Repeat steps 1 to 6 for each sample.

4.8 Remove the samples and place them in a temperature bath of which the
temperature is 100 °C. Repeat steps 4 to 7.

5.0 Results
6.0 DATA SHEET
Results Table 1
Efflux Time at 40˚C Kinematic Viscosity
Sample
(seconds) at 40˚C (mm2/s or cSt)
Kin velocity= efflux
10-W-30 time x viscometer
556 Sec
Fully Synthetic constant
Viscometer = 556 x 0.1055
Motor Oil 58.658 mm2
200/J935

Sae 90 790 Sec

Viscometer 169.85 mm2
Gear Oil
300/E459

API TC 464 Sec

Viscometer 101.894 mm2
2 Cycle Motor Oil
300/E473

Results Table 2
Kinematic Viscosity
Efflux Time at
Sample at 100˚C (mm2/s or
100˚C (seconds)
cSt)
40.54 Sec
10-W-30
Viscometer
Fully Synthetic 4.260 mm2
200/J935
Motor Oil

Sae 90 52.17 Sec

Viscometer 11.164 mm2
Gear Oil
300/E459

API TC 49.83 Sec

Viscometer 10.887 mm2
2 Cycle Motor Oil
300/E473
Discussion or Analysis

One of the biggest observations made in this lab was that the efflux time at 100 deg C
was faster than that of the 40 deg C sample. The particular reason for this circumstance is
that the increasing temperature from 40 deg C to 100 deg C. For the Sae 90 Gear Oil the
efflux time was found to be 790 Sec Viscometer 300/E459 and a kinematic velocity of
169.85 mm2 this oil has the largest kinematic velocity of the 3 at 40 deg C, deeming this
oil to be the thickest. The kinematic velocity was found by multiplying the efflux time by
the velocity constant. The API TC 2 Cycle Motor Oil had an efflux time of 49.83 Secs
and a kinematic viscosity of 101.894 mm2, the 10-W-30 Fully Synthetic Motor Oil has a
higher efflux time than the 2 cycle but the 2 cycle has a lower viscosity constant than the
synthetic motor oil.

The efflux time of the 100 deg C sample was shorter than the 40 deg C sample as stated
above, also the kinematic viscosity was noticeably lower with the highest viscosity
coming from the Sae 90 gear oil at 11.164 mm2 and an efflux time at 52.17 secs. We then
have the API TC 2 Cycle Motor Oil in at second with an efflux time of 49.83 secs and a
kinematic viscosity of 10.887 mm2. Lastly, we have the 10-W-30 Fully Synthetic Motor
Oil with a kinematic viscosity of 4.260 mm2 and an efflux time of 40.54 secs.

Conclusion

The overall goal of the lab to determine the kinematic viscosity of various petroleum
products was successful. The results were expected and proper lab precautions was
followed, the level of the liquid was read at eye level to avoid parallax error. My
understanding of oils and their viscosity has been improved, next time I am looking at oil
to buy I would know to look at their viscosity levels and I know how to read them.