Standardization News

Petroleum Viscosity Measurement

Standard would describe process for simultaneous measurement of kinematic and dynamic viscosity

ASTM International’s petroleum products, liquid fuels, and lubricants committee (D02) is developing a proposed standard that will describe a procedure for simultaneously measuring the kinematic viscosity, dynamic viscosity, and density of liquid petroleum products and crude oils.

According to ASTM member Niklas Christensson, the proposed standard (WK92527) will be particularly suitable for laboratories with a moderate throughput of samples.

“Laboratories that want a high degree of flexibility with regard to samples and measuring temperatures and for whom simple operations is important will benefit in particular,” says Christensson, managing director, Eralytics GmbH. “In addition to viscosity, density measurement is also covered, which will be of interest to some users.”

According to Christensson, the proposed method takes a new path as the kinematic and dynamic viscosity is measured in a single step.

“This is novel because previous methods only support one of these two parameters,” notes Christensson. “The optional determination of the standard-compliant and highly accurate density in the same housing enables a variety of additional applications in the same procedure.”

Christensson invites interested parties to join the development WK92527, particularly laboratories that would participate in round robin tests to determine the procession data for different product groups.

ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. JOIN ASTM.