Many petroleum products, as well as non-petroleum materials, are used as lubricants for bearings, gears, compressor cylinders, hydraulic equipment, etc. Proper operation of this equipment depends upon the viscosity of these liquids.

Oscillating piston viscometers allow viscosity measurement of a broad range of materials including transparent, translucent and opaque liquids. The measurement principle and stainless steel construction makes the Oscillating Piston Viscometer resistant to damage and suitable for portable operations. The measurement itself is automatic and does not require an operator to time the oscillation of the piston. The electromagnetically driven piston mixes the sample while under test. The instrument requires a sample volume of less than 5 mL and typical solvent volume of less than 10 mL which minimizes cleanup effort and waste.

1.1 This test method covers the measurement of dynamic viscosity and derivation of kinematic viscosity of liquids, such as new and in-service lubricating oils, by means of an oscillating piston viscometer.

1.2 This test method is applicable to Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids; however the precision statement was developed using Newtonian liquids.

1.3 The range of dynamic viscosity covered by this test method is from 0.2 mPa·s to 20 000 mPa·s (which is approximately the kinematic viscosity range of 0.2 mm²/s to 22 000 mm²/s for new oils) in the temperature range between –40 to 190°C; however the precision has been determined only for new and used oils in the range of 1.434 mPa·s to 154.4 mPa·s at temperatures of 40 and 100°C (as stated in the precision section).

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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.