ASTM D4486-91(2010)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D4486–91 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Test Method for
Kinematic Viscosity of Volatile and Reactive Liquids
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4486; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.2.1 Discussion—For gravity flow under a given hydro-
static head, the pressure head of a liquid is proportional to its
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of kinematic
density r. For any particular viscometer, the time of flow of a
viscosity of transparent, Newtonian liquids which because of
fixedvolumeofliquidisdirectlyproportionalto h/r.Thisratio
their reactivity, instability, or volatility cannot be used in
is the kinematic viscosity coefficient (n). The cgs unit of
conventionalcapillarykinematicviscometers.Thistestmethod
−5 2
kinematic viscosity is the stoke and has the dimensions of
is applicable up to 2 310 N/m (2 atm) pressure and
centimetre squared per second: the centistoke (0.01 St) is
temperature range from −53 to +135 °C (−65 to +275 °F).
frequently used. The SI unit of kinematic viscosity has the
1.1.1 For the measurement of the kinematic viscosity of
2 4
dimensions of metre /second, and is equivalent to 10 St.
other liquids, see Test Method D445.
3.1.3 viscosity—the ratio between the applied shear stress
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
and rate of shear.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.3.1 Discussion—This ratio is called the coefficient of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
viscosity. The coefficient of viscosity (h) is thus a measure of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
theresistancetoflowoftheliquid.Thisiscommonlycalledthe
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
viscosity of the liquid.The cgs unit of viscosity is the poise. P,
warning statements, see 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and Annex A1.
which has the dimensions of dyne-seconds per square centi-
2. Referenced Documents
metre: the centipoise (0.01 poise) is frequently used. The SI
unit of viscosity has the dimensions of newton second/metre ,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
and is equivalent to 10 P.
D445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent
3.1.4 vulnerable liquid—a liquid which by reason of its
and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscos-
volatility, instability or reactivity in the presence of air or any
ity)
other specific gaseous medium may undergo physical or
D2162 PracticeforBasicCalibrationofMasterViscometers
chemical changes that may affect its viscosity.
and Viscosity Oil Standards
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
4. Summary of Test Method
3. Terminology 4.1 The time is measured, in seconds, for a fixed volume of
liquid to flow under gravity through the capillary of the
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
viscometer under a reproducible driving head and at a closely
3.1.1 density—the mass per unit volume of the liquid.
controlled temperature. The kinematic viscosity is calculated
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The cgs unit of density (r) has the
fromthemeasuredflowtimeandthecalibrationconstantofthe
dimensions of grams per cubic centimetre. The SI unit of
viscometer.
density has the dimensions of kilograms per cubic metre.
3.1.2 kinematic viscosity—The ratio of the viscosity to the
5. Significance and Use
density of the liquid.
5.1 Kinematic viscosity is a physical property which is of
importance in the design of systems in which flowing liquids
This test method is under the jurisdiction of Committee D02 on Petroleum
are used or handled.
ProductsandLubricantsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD02.11on
Engineering Sciences of High Performance Fluids and Solids.
6. Apparatus
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2010. Published October 2010. Originally
6.1 Viscometer Thermostat—Any transparent liquid or va-
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D4486–91(2006).
DOI: 10.1520/D4486-91R10.
por bath of sufficient depth such that at no time during the
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
measurement will any portion of the sample in the viscometer
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
be less than 20 mm below the surface of the bath liquid or less
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. than 20 mm above the bottom of the bath may be used. The
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D4486–91 (2010)
temperature control must be such that for the range from 15 to 7.2 Chromic Acid (Cleaning Solution)—(Warning—
100°C(60to212°F)thetemperatureofthebathmediumdoes Causessevereburns.Arecognizedcarcinogen.Strongoxidizer,
not vary by more than 0.02 °F (0.01 °C) over the length of the contactwithorganicmaterialmaycausefire.Hygroscopic.See
viscometers, or between the position of each viscometer, or at A1.2.)
the location of the thermometer. For temperatures outside this 7.2.1 Other suitable cleaning solutions are available. In
range, the variation must not exceed 0.05 °F (0.03 °C). referee testing situations, glassware shall be cleaned with a
cleaning solution agreed upon by the parties involved.
6.2 Temperature-Measuring Device—Suitable liquid-in-
7.3 Acetone—(Warning—Extremely flammable. Vapors
glass Kinematic Viscosity Test Thermometers, covering the
may cause flash fire. See Annex A1.3.)
range of test temperatures indicated in Table 1, as listed in
7.4 Hydrochloric Acid (Concentrated)—(Warning—
Specification E1, make certain that they have been standard-
Poison. Corrosive. May be fatal if swallowed. Liquid and
ized before use (see 8.2). Any other thermometric device is
vapor cause severe burns. Harmful if inhaled. See Annex
permissible provided that the same accuracy can be obtained.
A1.4.)
6.3 Timing Device—Any timing device may be used pro-
vided that the readings can be taken with a discrimination of
8. Standardization
0.2 s or better, and that it has an accuracy within 60.07%
8.1 Viscometers—Only calibrated viscometers standardized
when tested over intervals of 15 min.
as described in Annex A2 shall be used.
6.3.1 Electrical timing devices may be used if the current
8.2 Thermometers—Liquid-in-glass thermometers shall be
frequency is controlled to an accuracy of 0.05% or better.
checked to the nearest 0.01 °C (0.02 °F) by direct comparison
Alternating currents, as provided by some public power sys-
with a suitable standardized thermometer. KinematicViscosity
tems, are intermittently rather than continuously controlled.
Test Thermometers shall be standardized at “total immersion”
When used to actuate electrical timing devices, such control
whichmeansimmersiontothetopofthemercurycolumn,with
can cause large errors in viscosity flow measurements.
theremainderofthestemandtheexpansionchamberatthetop
of the thermometer exposed to room temperature; do not
7. Reagents and Materials
submerge the expansion bulb at the top of the thermometer. It
7.1 Viscosity Oil Standards, conforming toASTM viscosity
is essential that the ice point of standardized thermometers be
oil standards having the approximate kinematic viscosity
determinedperiodicallyandtheofficialcorrectionsbeadjusted
shown in Table 2. Certified kinematic viscosity values are
to conform to the change in ice point.
compared by annual cooperative tests by a number of labora-
8.3 Timers—Standard time signals available in some na-
tories and are supplied with each portion.
tions may be used in checking the accuracy of timing devices.
In the United States ofAmerica, time signals, as broadcast by
the National Bureau of Standards, Station WWV, Washington,
A
TABLE 1 Kinematic Viscosity Test Thermometers
DC 20234, at 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 MHz are a
Thermometer
B
convenient and primary standard reference for calibrating
Test Temperature Scale Error
Number
timing devices; the signals are broadcast 24 h daily. Station
C D
°F °C ASTM IP
CHU from Ottawa, Canada, at 3.330, 7.335, and 14.670 MHz
−65 −53.9 74F 69F, C
or Station MSF at Rugby, United Kingdom, at 2.5, 5, and 10
−60 to − 35 −51 to − 35 43F 65F, C
MHz may be received better in some locations.
−40 −40 73F, C 68F, C
8.4 Viscosity standards may also be used to check the
0 −17.8 72F 67F, C
32 0 33F, C
over-all kinematic viscosity procedure in a laboratory. If the
68 and 70 20 and 21.1 44F, C 29F, C
measured kinematic viscosity does not agree within 60.35%
77 25 45F, C 30F, C
86 30 118F, C of the certified value, each step in the procedure should be
100 37.8 28F 31F, C
rechecked, including thermometer and viscometer calibration
40 120C
to locate source of error.
122 50 46F, C 66F, C
130 54.4 29F 34F, C
140 60 47F, C 35F, C 9. Cleaning of Viscometer
180 82.2 48F 90F, C
9.1 Between successive determinations, clean the viscom-
200 93.3 36F, C
210 and 212 98.9 and 100 30F 32F, C eter thoroughly by several rinsings with an appropriate solvent
100 121C
completelymisciblewiththesample,followedbyacompletely
275 135 110F, C
volatile solvent. Dry the viscometer with vacuum attached to
−20 99C
80 100C
Tube A or by placing viscometer in a vacuum oven.
40 120C 92C
9.2 Periodically clean the instrument with chromic acid
A
The smallest graduation of the Fahrenheit thermometers is 0.1 °F and for the
(Warning—See 7.2 and A1.2.) to remove organic deposits,
Celsius thermometers is 0.05 °C except for ASTM 43F and IP 65F for which it is
rinse thoroughly with distilled water and acetone (Warning—
0.2 °F.
B
Scale error for the Fahrenheit thermometers is not to exceed 60.2 °F (except See 7.3 and A1.3.), and dry with clean dry air. Inorganic
for ASTM 110F which is 60.3 °F); for the Celsius thermometers it is 60.1 °C.
These scale errors are required to apply only at the given test temperature.
C
Complete construction detail is given in Specification E1.
D
Other suitable chromium free, sulfuric acid-based cleaning solutions are
Complete construction detail is given in Part 1 of IP Standards for Petroleum
and its Products. available.
D4486–91 (2010)
TABLE 2 Approximate Values of the ASTM Viscosity Standards
Viscosity Approximate Kinematic Viscosity, cSt
Standard
B B
At At At
Conforming
At − 40°C At 20°C At 25°C At 40°C At 50°C At 100°C
−53.89°C 37.78°C 98.89°C
to ASTM
(−40°F) (68°F) (77°F) (104°F) (122°F) (212°F)
A
(−65°F) (100°F) (210°F)
Standards
S-3 300 80 4.6 4.0 3.0 2.9 . 1.2 1.2
S-6 . . 11 8.9 6.0 5.
...