1

TEST ON SAYBOLT VISCOMETER

AIM: To determine the kinematic viscosity and absolute viscosity of the
Given oil.
APPARATUS: Saybolt viscometer, Thermometer, Stop Watch, Measuring flask, Wire
stopper, Spirit level, Oil filler etc.
THEORY: Viscosity is a measurement of the internal resistance to the flow of
liquids and is the most important single property of lubricating
oils which determines the ability of oil to support a load on a fluid film,
the power consumed in friction and amount of heat that will be generated.
There are many methods of finding viscosity which differs mainly due
to the instruments used. namely, Saybolt viscometer, Redwood viscometer
No.1 etc. The viscosity thus obtained is actually the time taken in seconds
for the flow of a fixed quantity of the lubricating oil through a standardized
short capillary or orifice and not the true dimensions of viscosity. The
viscosity determined by instruments is called specific viscosity.
The following formulae are used for calculating viscosity.
Kinetic viscosity
Zk = 0.22Ts 180/Ts (in centi stokes).
Where Ts = saybolts universal seconds (SUS)
Absolute viscosity Za = Zk x in centi poise
Where is the density of the oil.
1 poise = 1 dyne.sec/cm
2
(DYN Viscosity)
= gm/cm.sec (Abs.Viscosity)
1 stroke =1 poise/density =cm
2
/sec
Density of various oils at 15.5C are as follows
SAE 20 = 0.9254 gm/cc SAE = society of
SAE 30 = 0.9263 gm/cc automotive engineering
SAE 40 = 0.9275 gm/cc
SAE 60 = 0.8927 gm/cc
SAE 140= 0.9310 gm/cc
2T oil = 0.952 gm/cc
So, at any temperature T = at 15.5C 0.000657 (T-15.5C)
2


Viscosity is important characteristic. As it affect the atomization of fuel
and operation of the-high pressure fuel pumps. The greater the number of
the carbon atoms , the greater the viscosity of the oil. Out of the two
hydrocarbons having the same number of carbon atoms, the one with the
lower hydrogen content will have a higher viscosity and its viscosity will
change more rapidly with the change of temperature.

DESCRIPTION: The Saybolt Viscometer consists of a cylindrical oil cup, the base of which
is prolonged as a tube in which a jet is screwed with its bolt at the axis of
the cup.The upper end of the cup is larger in diameter and has a circular
mark. The oil cup is silver plated and screwed to the bottom of the heating
bath which is held securely in position. An immersion heater is fitted to
the side of the bath and is connected to the mains through an auto
transformer for temperature control. The bath is mounted on a stand
with leveling feet.
Stirring of the bath is effected by means of a cylinder surrounding
the oil cup which is provided with vanes. A plot shield is fixed to upper
edge of the cylinder. This provides a means of attachment for an insulated
handle for rotating the stirrer and a support for the bath thermometer.
A thermometer support is provided to support oil cup thermometer. Two
jets, Universal tip and another Furol tip are provided. A small box spanner
is provided for screwing the jet in the cup. Furol seconds may be
converted to SUS by multiplying with a factor 15.
Light distillate engine fuel oils have viscosity 35 to 150 SUS at
37.7C. Intermediate fuels may have viscosity upto 500 SUS. Viscous
oils may have a viscosity upto 100, Saybolts Furol seconds at 48.8C
and very viscous special fuels upto 300 saybolts Furol seconds.
Viscosity usually be found at 54.4C and 98.8C.

PROCEDURE: Clean the oil cup with a suitable and then dry it. Mount the spirit
level on the top of the cup ad level the instrument. Fill the bath with
water for determination of viscosity at 82.2C and below. For higher
temperature determination with oil having viscosity 330 to 370 SUS
at 37.8C. Fill the water bath to a level at least 6.43mn above the
3

over flow rim of the viscometer Clean the collecting flask with a
suitable solvent. Connect up the instruments to the mains through the
auto transformer. Adjust the auto transformer for attaining the required
temperature. Insert a wire stopper having a card attached for its easy
removal in to the air chamber at the bottom of the oil cup the wire shall
fit tightly and enough to prevent the escape of air, as the evidence by
the absence of oil on the cork when it is withdrawn. Filter the prepared
sample and fill the oil cup until the level is upto the overflow rim. Stir
the sample until the temperature remains constant. Use a circular motion
at 30 to 50 RPM in a horizontal direction. Quickly remove the oil from
the gallery until its level is below the overflow rim. This is done by
placing tip of the withdrawal tube at one point in gallery and applying
suction. Do not touch overflow rim with the withdrawal tube.
Place the receiving flask where the stream of oil from the
Bottom of the viscometer will just strike the neck of the flask. The
graduation mark shall be between 100 and 130 mm from the bottom
of the viscometer tube. Snap the wire stopper from the viscometer.
At the same instant start the stopwatch.Stop the stopwatch the instant
the bottom of the meniscus reaches the graduation mark.
Repeat experiment for various temperatures of oil.The initial reading
should be at room temperature.


OBSERVATIONS:
Sl.No. temperature Time
In sec
Absolute Viscosity
In centi-poise
Kinematic Viscosity in
Centi-stokes


GRAPHSPLOTTED:
( X--axis ) ( Yaxis )
Temperature Vs Saybolt seconds
Temperature Vs absolute Viscosity
Temperature Vs Kinematic Viscosity
4

The viscosity at any intermittent temperature may be found out from graph.
SAMPLE CALCULATIONS: (_________________set of readings________
As mentioned in theory )
RESULT:
DISCUSION: ______________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________

5