ASTM D445-01 - 10.1.2001
 
1. Scope

1.1 This test method specifies a procedure for the determination of the kinematic viscosity, , of liquid petroleum products, both transparent and opaque, by measuring the time for a volume of liquid to flow under gravity through a calibrated glass capillary viscometer. The dynamic viscosity, n, can be obtained by multiplying the kinematic viscosity,p , by the density,v , of the liquid.

Note 1--For the measurement of the kinematic viscosity and viscosity of bitumens, see also Test Methods D2170 and D2171.

1.2 The result obtained from this test method is dependent upon the behavior of the sample and is intended for application to liquids for which primarily the shear stress and shear rates are proportional (Newtonian flow behavior). If, however, the viscosity varies significantly with the rate of shear, different results may be obtained from viscometers of different capillary diameters. The procedure and precision values for residual fuel oils, which under some conditions exhibit non-Newtonian behavior, have been included.

1.3 The range of kinematic viscosities covered by this test method is from 0.2 to 300 000 mm2/s (see Table A1.1) at all temperatures (see 6.3 and 6.4). The precision has only been determined for those materials, kinematic viscosity ranges and temperatures as shown in the footnotes to the precision section.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

 
2. Referenced Documents

ISO 17025

General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories

Guideline for Evaluating and Expressing the Uncertainty of NIST Measurement Results http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Uncertainty/bibliography.html

Good Measurement Practice for Assignment and Adjustment of Calibration Intervals for Laboratory Standards http://ts.nist.gov/WeightsAndMeasures/upload/GMP_11_Mar_2003.pdf

NIST Special Publication 811

NIST Special Publication 1088

E1-14(2025)

Standard Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers

E77-14(2021)

Standard Test Method for Inspection and Verification of Thermometers

E563-22

Standard Practice for Preparation and Use of an Ice-Point Bath as a Reference Temperature

E644-11(2025)

Standard Test Methods for Testing Industrial Resistance Thermometers

E1137/E1137M-08(2020)

Standard Specification for Industrial Platinum Resistance Thermometers

E1750-23

Standard Guide for Use of Water Triple Point Cells

E2593-17(2023)

Standard Guide for Accuracy Verification of Industrial Platinum Resistance Thermometers

E2877-12(2019)

Standard Guide for Digital Contact Thermometers

ISO 3104

ISO 3105

Glass Capillary Kinematic ViscometersSpecification and Operating Instructions

ISO 3696

Water for Analytical Laboratory UseSpecification and Test Methods

ISO 5725

Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results.

ISO 9000

D446-24

Standard Specifications and Operating Instructions for Glass Capillary Kinematic Viscometers

D1193-24

Standard Specification for Reagent Water

D1217-20

Standard Test Method for Density and Relative Density (Specific Gravity) of Liquids by Bingham Pycnometer (Withdrawn 2026)

D1480-21

Standard Test Method for Density and Relative Density (Specific Gravity) of Viscous Materials by Bingham Pycnometer

D1481-17

Standard Test Method for Density and Relative Density (Specific Gravity) of Viscous Materials by Lipkin Bicapillary Pycnometer (Withdrawn 2023)

D2162-21

Standard Practice for Basic Calibration of Master Viscometers and Viscosity Oil Standards

D2170-07

Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Asphalts (Bitumens)

D2171-07

Standard Test Method for Viscosity of Asphalts by Vacuum Capillary Viscometer

D6071-14(2022)

Standard Test Method for Low Level Sodium in High Purity Water by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

D6074-15(2022)

Standard Guide for Characterizing Hydrocarbon Lubricant Base Oils

D6299-26a

Standard Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance and Control Charting Techniques to Evaluate Analytical Measurement System Performance (Includes all amendments and changes 8/4/2026).

D6300-26

Standard Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias Data for Use in Test Methods for Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants

D6617-21

Standard Practice for Laboratory Bias Detection Using Single Test Result from Standard Material

D6708-24

Standard Practice for Statistical Assessment and Improvement of Expected Agreement Between Two Test Methods that Purport to Measure the Same Property of a Material