The viscosity reported by your lube supplier and oil analysis lab is likely the kinematic viscosity. To visualize absolute viscosity, imagine the force needed to stir an oil using a metal rod. Absolute viscosity, on the other hand, determines an oil’s internal resistance to flow and shear. Kinematic viscosity measures the resistance of an oil to flow and shear under gravity, such as oil flowing through a funnel. When it comes to viscosity, there are two determinable parameters - absolute and kinematic viscosity.
However, like all onsite equipment, it’s important to understand how these instruments work and their relative strengths and weaknesses. What are we doing wrong?”īecause the viscosity of an oil is probably its single most important property, it makes sense to measure viscosity frequently, using onsite test equipment. However, our viscosity numbers are often up to 10 percent different from the lube suppliers. At the same time, our lube supplier is testing samples from the same system regularly. “We are using an onsite viscometer to measure viscosity at 40 degrees C.
