Table of contents

Introduction 2
Importance of viscosity in engineering 3
Measuring Viscosity 4
Capillary viscometer 5
Viscosity of common fluids 6
References 7
2


Introduction:
Fluids have molecules father than gases and closer than the gases. So they are different from
both in terms of their physical properties. Fluids dont have any definite shape like solids and
they also dont spread in all the available space. But they take the shape of the container they are
kept in.
A part from this basic difference following are the major properties of fluids.
1. Vapor pressure
2. Specific gravity
3. Specific weight
4. Density
5. Surface tension
6. Specific volume
7. Viscosity
I will discuss viscosity in this report.
Viscosity:
Because of the friction in the particles, fluids have a property known as viscosity. It is defined as
resistance of a fluid to its deformation. For example, lubricants are cohesive and give a
sticking feel compared to gasoline, which is less cohesive compared to lubricants and flows with
relative ease. So lubricant has a higher viscosity than that of gasoline.
Effect of heat on fluid viscosity:
With the increase in the temperature, viscosity of all fluids reduces and they become less
cohesive and flow with relative ease. While in gasses it is the opposite. Viscosity of gases,
increase with an increase in temperature and vice versa.

3


Importance of viscosity in engineering:
There are major implications of viscosity in engineering and we come across its use in our daily
life, more often than we probably think. Following are some examples of uses of viscosity which
highlights its importance.
In fuel stations, using the viscosity along with other relevant information like nozzle
dimension and the force being applied to it, the amount of fuel being purchased can be
calculated.
Knowing the viscosity of the ink, along with desired velocities, printer can be designed to
exert an exact amount of force required for printing.
Viscosity is cause of many other phenomena that play important role in our life.
Examples of such phenomena are Shear thinning and shear thickening.
Fluid control flow precision equipments work only with the use of exact measure of
viscosities.
Many modern vehicle utilities are based on viscosity, ranging from fuel-injection system
to Wheel-traction control in all-wheel drives.
Printers are able to print accurately, because of careful consideration of viscosity of ink.
A slight change in viscosity can largely affect its function.
Utilization of viscosity can be widely seen in modern civil engineering, ranging from
flow of cement in the pipes to design of air-conditioning systems.
In short, fluid mechanics is a vital part of not only mechanical but also many other
overlapping areas of engineering. Viscosity is one of the major characteristics, who have
an impact on it.
4


Measuring Viscosity:
A range of methods are used to measure the viscosity of fluids, depending on the use and nature
of measurement requirements. They are categorized into 5 categories, as follows;
Vibro viscometer
Rotational viscometer
Capillary viscometer
Falling ball viscometer
Cup-type viscometer
I will discuss capillary viscometer in this report.

5


Capillary viscometer:
This is an absolute measurement method, as it is based on the laws of Physics. The viscosity is
measured by the flow-rate of the fluids from capillary and pressure differentials at both ends of
it.

Glass viscometer is not easy to use yet its based on a simple principle and structure. Its been long
used and greatly improved, over the years. It works on kinetic viscosity, in terms of time of
certain amount of fluid to free-fall through capillary. Every viscometer has a constant, based on
standard fluid.
Though the principle is very simple, interior of capillary must be very clean, so its done using a
cleaning fluid than rinsing and thorough drying is required, before every measure.
Temperature control is another aspect and needs to be considered, especially in lower viscosity
ranges. Otherwise, these thermal impacts can lead to errors in measurement.

6


Viscosity of common fluids:
Viscosity of liquids (at 25 C unless otherwise specified)
2
Liquid Viscosity [Pa s] Viscosity [cP=mPa s]
water 8.94104 0.894
sulfuric acid[27] 2.42102 24.2
propanal[27] 1.945103 1.945
pitch 2.3108 2.31011
olive oil .081 81
nitrobenzene[27] 1.863103 1.863
motor oil SAE 40 (20 C)[19] 0.319 319
motor oil SAE 10 (20 C)[19] 0.065 65
methanol 5.44104 0.544
mercury 1.526103 1.526
liquid nitrogen @ 77K 1.58104 0.158
HFO-380 2.022 2022
glycerol (at 20 C) 1.2 1200
ethylene glycol 1.61102 16.1
ethanol 1.074103 1.074
corn syrup 1.3806 1380.6
castor oil 0.985 985


7


References:
http://www.mhtl.uwaterloo.ca/old/onlinetools/airprop/airprop.html
1

http://user.engineering.uiowa.edu/~cfd/pdfs/tables/1-37B.pdf
2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viscometer
http://www.qclabequipment.com/viscosity.html
http://www.engineeringcivil.com/viscosity.html
http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/cub_/lessons/cub_surg/cub
_surg_lesson03.xml