ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY
ENGINEERING DIVISION
Name: Arie Emmanuel Liston
Date Performed: September 28, 2016
Subject: ME Lab
Time/Day/Rm: 8-11/WF/Machine Shop
Instructor: Engr. Mahinay
Viscosity Measurement Using a Saybolt Viscometer
Objectives:
1. To understand the concept of viscosity and its applications
2. To teach the student the operation and function of a Saybolt Viscometer
3. To demonstrate the relationship of temperature and viscosity
Significance:
The significance of the laboratory experiment is to let the students understand how the
concept of viscosity works and how it is measured. It is significant in the field of mechanical
engineering because moving parts require lubrication and providing the right lubrication is vital.
Background:
Saybolt viscometer consists of a water bath and oil bath, both have two thermometers inside
them. There is a ball valve, which is located at center of oil bath to flow of oil through the orifice. A
heater with regulator is fixed for heating purpose.
Viscometer an instrument used to measure the viscosity of a fluid.
Vicsosity a measure of its resistance to gradual deformation by shear stress or tensile
stress.
Pre-Lab Reading:
Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machines
By Bansal
Viscosity of Liquids: Theory, Estimation, Experiment, and Data
By Dabir S. Viswanath, Tushar Ghosh, Dasika H.L. Prasad,
Fluid Mechanics
By A. K. Mohanty
Engineering Fluid Mechanics
By H. Yamaguchi
Energy Engineering
Lab Department of Chemical Engineering
University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore
Equipment/Apparatus:
1. Saybolt viscometer consists of a water bath and oil bath, both provided with two
thermometers inside them. There is a ball valve, which is located at center of oil bath to
flow of oil through the orifice. A heater with regulator is fixed for heating purpose
2. Stop watch measure time
3. Thermometer measure temperature
4. Measuring flask (60ml) used to catch the fluid as it flows down from the orifice. Will be
the basis for the time function to determine viscosity.
Set up of the Experiment:
Procedure
1.Clean the oil cup(measuring flask) with a solvent and dry it using soft cloth.
2. Keep the cork in its position to keep the orifice sealed.
3. Take the water into the water bath and the sample oil to the oil cup just below the mark.
4. Measure how long will 60 ml take to collect on the oil cup at room temperature then turn on the
machine.
5. Heat and continuously stir the bath in a controlled manner.
6. When the desired temperature is reached, place the another flask below the orifice.
7. Remove the cork and measure the time it takes for the oil to collect up to the 60ml mark.
8. Do not stir the bath during this phase.
9. Repeat the process at various fluids.
Data Analysis
Kinematic Viscosity of fluids at 100 C
(centiStokes)
25.00
19.44
20.00
18.60
16.19
15.00
10.00
5.43
5.00
0.00
Palm Oil
SAE 90
SAE 40
SAE 15 W40
Motor oils are significantly more viscous than palm oil.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The experiments clearly demonstrate how viscosity is affected by temperature and the
Saybolt Viscometer is a clear apparatus for demonstrating this relationship. I would recommend this
experiment to be provided with a digital thermometer to increase the accuracy of the temperature
readings. A mechanical mechanism should be replaced for the cork to prevent inconsistencies for
every trial
Data Sheet
Data Tested: Time
Tested by: Liston, Arie
Experiment Title: Viscosity Measurement Using a Saybolt Viscometer
Fluid
Density
SUS
851.6
893
872
9.61
14.26
13.08
5.4316032
19.437979
16.192059
4.625553
17.35812
14.11948
829.1
13.95
18.599231
15.42062
Palm Oil
SAE 90
SAE 40
SAE 15
W40
Viscosity
Kinematic
Absolute
Reference
Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machines
By Bansal
Viscosity of Liquids: Theory, Estimation, Experiment, and Data
By Dabir S. Viswanath, Tushar Ghosh, Dasika H.L. Prasad,
Fluid Mechanics
By A. K. Mohanty
Engineering Fluid Mechanics
By H. Yamaguchi
Energy Engineering
Lab Department of Chemical Engineering
University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore
