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Dynamic, Absolute and Kinematic Viscosity
Dynamic, absolute and kinematic viscosity and how to convert between CentiStokes (cSt), CentiPoises (cP), Saybolt
Universal Seconds (SSU) and degree Engler
The viscosity is an important fluid property when analyzing liquid behavior and fluid motion near solid boundaries. Viscosity of a fluid is a measure of its
resistance to gradual deformation by shear stress or tensile stress. The shear resistance in a fluid is caused by intermolecular friction exerted when layers of
fluid attempt to slide by one another.
viscosity is the measure of a fluid's resistance to flow
molasses is highly viscous
water is medium viscous
gas is low viscous
There are two related measures of fluid viscosity
dynamic (or absolute)
kinematic
Dynamic (absolute) Viscosity
Absolute viscosity coefficient of absolute viscosity is a measure of internal resistance. Dynamic (absolute) viscosity is the tangential force per unit area
required to move one horizontal plane with respect to an other plane at an unit velocity when maintaining an unit distance apart in the fluid.
The shearing stress between the layers of a non turbulent fluid moving in straight parallel lines can be defined for a Newtonian fluid as
The dynamic viscosity can be expressed
τ = μ dc / dy (1)
where
τ = shearing stress (N/m2)
μ = dynamic viscosity (N s/m2)
dc = unit velocity (m/s)
dy = unit distance between layers (m)
Equation (1) is known as the Newtons Law of Friction.
In the SI system the dynamic viscosity units are N s/m 2, Pa s or kg/(m s) where
1 Pa s = 1 N s/m2 = 1 kg/(m s)
Dynamic viscosity may also be expressed in the metric CGS (centimetergramsecond) system as g/(cm s), dyne s/cm 2 or poise (p) where
1 poise = 1 dyne s/cm2 = 1 g/(cm s) = 1/10 Pa s = 1/10 N s/m2
For practical use the Poise is normally too large and the unit is often divided by 100 into the smaller unit centiPoise (cP) where
1 p = 100 cP
1 cP = 0.01 poise = 0.01 gram per cm second = 0.001 Pascal second = 1 milliPascal second = 0.001 N s/m2
Water at 20.2oC (68.4oF) has the absolute viscosity of one 1 centiPoise.
Absolute Viscosity *)
Liquid (Pa s)
Air 1.983 x 105
Water 1 x 103
Olive Oil 1 x 101
Glycerol 1 x 100
Liquid Honey 1 x 101
Golden Syrup 1 x 102
Glass 1 x 1040
*) at room temperature
Absolute or Dynamic Viscosity of some common Liquids
Kinematic Viscosity
Kinematic viscosity is the ratio of absolute (or dynamic) viscosity to density a quantity in which no force is involved. Kinematic viscosity can be obtained by
dividing the absolute viscosity of a fluid with the fluid mass density.
ν = μ / ρ (2)
where
ν = kinematic viscosity (m2/s)
μ = absolute or dynamic viscosity (N s/m2)
ρ = density (kg/m3)
In the SIsystem the theoretical unit of kinematic viscosity is m2/s or Stoke (St) where
1 St (Stokes) = 104 m2/s = 1 cm2/s
Since the Stoke is a large unit it is often divided by 100 into the smaller unit Centistoke (cSt) where
1 St = 100 cSt
1 cSt (centiStoke) = 106 m2/s = 1 mm2/s
The specific gravity for water at 20.2oC (68.4oF) is almost one, and the kinematic viscosity for water at 20.2oC (68.4oF) is for practical purpose 1.0 mm2/s
(cStokes). A more exact kinematic viscosity for water at 20.2oC (68.4oF) is 1.0038 mm2/s (cStokes).
Kinematic Viscosity of Some common Liquids and Fluids
A conversion from absolute to kinematic viscosity in Imperial units can be expressed as
ν = 6.7197 104 μ / γ (2a)
where
ν = kinematic viscosity (ft 2/s)
μ = absolute or dynamic viscosity (cP)
γ = specific weight (lb/ft 3)
Viscosity and Reference Temperature
The viscosity of a fluid is highly temperature dependent and for dynamic or kinematic viscosity to be meaningful the reference temperature must be quoted.
In ISO 8217 the reference temperature for a residual fluid is 100oC. For a distillate fluid the reference temperature is 40oC.
for a liquid the kinematic viscosity decreases with higher temperature
for a gas the kinematic viscosity increases with higher temperature
Related Mobile Apps from The Engineering ToolBox
Kinematic Viscosity Converter App
This is a free app that can be used offline on mobile devices.
Other Viscosity Units
Saybolt Universal Seconds (or SUS, SSU)
Saybolt Universal Seconds (or SUS) is an alternative unit for measuring viscosity. The efflux time is Saybolt Universal Seconds (SUS) required for 60 milliliters
of a petroleum product to flow through the calibrated orifice of a Saybolt Universal viscometer under a carefully controlled temperature and as prescribed by
test method ASTM D 88. This method has largely been replaced by the kinematic viscosity method. Saybolt Universal Seconds is also called the SSU number
(Seconds Saybolt Universal) or SSF number (Saybolt Seconds Furol).
Kinematic viscosity in SSU versus dynamic or absolute viscosity can be expressed as
νSSU = B μ / SG
= B νcentiStokes (3)
where
νSSU = kinematic viscosity (SSU)
B = 4.632 for temperature 100 oF (37.8 oC)
B = 4.664 for temperature 210oF (98.9 oC)
μ = dynamic or absolute viscosity (cP)
SG = Specific Gravity
νcentiStokes = kinematic viscosity (centiStokes)
SSU at other temperatures
Degree Engler
Degree Engler is used in Great Britain as a scale to measure kinematic viscosity. Unlike the Saybolt and Redwood scales, the Engler scale is based on
comparing the flow of the substance being tested to the flow of another substance water. Viscosity in Engler degrees is the ratio of the time of a flow of 200
cubic centimeters of the fluid whose viscosity is being measured to the time of flow of 200 cubic centimeters of water at the same temperature (usually 20oC
but sometimes 50oC or 100oC) in a standardized Engler viscosity meter.
Newtonian Fluids
A fluid where the shearing stress is linearly related to the rate of shearing strain is designated as a Newtonian Fluid.
A Newtonian material is referred to as true liquid since the viscosity or consistency is not affected by shear such as agitation or pumping at a constant
temperature. Most common fluids both liquids and gases are Newtonian fluids. Water and oils are examples of Newtonian liquids.
Shearthinning or Pseudoplastic Fluids
A Shearthinning or pseudoplastic fluid is a fluid where viscosity decreases with increasing shear rate. The structure is timeindependent.
Thixotropic Fluids
A Thixotropic fluid has a timedependent structure. The viscosity of a thixotropic fluid decreases with increasing time at a constant shear rate.
Ketchup and mayonnaise are examples of thixotropic materials. They appear thick or viscous but are possible to pump quite easily.
Dilatant Fluids
A Shear Thickening Fluid or Dilatant Fluid increases the viscosity with agitation or shear strain. Dilatant fluids are known as nonNewton fluids.
Some dilatant fluids can become almost solid in a pump or pipe line. With agitation cream becomes butter and candy compounds. Clay slurry and similar
heavily filled liquids do the same thing.
Bingham Plastic Fluids
A Bingham Plastic Fluid has a yield value which must be exceeded before it will start to flow like a fluid. From that point the viscosity decreases with increasing
agitation. Toothpaste, mayonnaise and tomato ketchup are examples of such products.
Example Air, Converting between Kinematic and Absolute Viscosity
Kinematic viscosity of air at 1 bar (1 105 Pa, N/m2) and 40oC is 16.97 cSt (16.97 106 m2/s).
The density of the air can be estimated with the Ideal Gas Law
ρ = p / (R T)
= 1 105 (N/m2) / ( 287 (J/(kg K)) (273 (oC) + 33 ( oC)) )
= 1.113 (kg/m3)
where
ρ = density (kg/m3)
p = absolute pressure (Pa, N/m2)
R = individual gas constant (J/(kg K))
T = absolute temperature (K)
The absolute viscosity can be calculated as
μ = 1.113 (kg/m3) 16.97 106 (m2/s)
= 1.88 105 (kg/(m s), N s/m2)
Viscosity of some Common Liquids
Saybolt Second
centiStokes
Universal Typical liquid
(cSt)
(SSU, SUS)
1 31 Water (20oC)
Milk
4.3 40 SAE 20 Crankcase Oil
SAE 75 Gear Oil
15.7 80 No. 4 fuel oil
20.6 100 Cream
43.2 200 Vegetable oil
SAE 30 Crankcase Oil
110 500
SAE 85 Gear Oil
Tomato Juice
220 1000 SAE 50 Crankcase Oil
SAE 90 Gear Oil
440 2000 SAE 140 Gear Oil
Kinematic viscosity can be converted from SSU to Centistokes as
νCentistokes = 0.226 νSSU 195 / νSSU
where
νSSU < 100
νCentistokes = 0.220 νSSU 135 / νSSU
where
νSSU > 100
Viscosity and Temperature
Kinematic viscosity of fluids like water, mercury, oils SAE 10 and oil no. 3 and gases like air, hydrogen and helium are indicated in the diagram below. Note
that
for liquids viscosity decreases with temperature
for gases viscosity increases with temperature
Measuring Viscosity
Three types of devices are used to measure viscosity
capillary tube viscometer
Saybolt viscometer
rotating viscometer
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de: dynamische absoluten kinematischen Viskosität Centipoise Centistokes
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