Fluid Handling Basics

Fluid Characteristics

Fluid Handling Basics - February 22-24, 2006 1

 Fluid Characteristics

 Newtonian & Non-Newtonian Fluids

 Specific Gravity
 Viscosity
 Chemical Compatibility

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 Newtonian/Non-Newtonian Fluids
Flow Curve Viscosity Profile

Slope of this line = viscosity

Shear
Stress Viscosity

Shear Rate Shear Rate

 Newtonian Fluids (Oils)
– Viscosity is constant with a change in shear rate
– Rate of shear varies based on the pumping technology selected and other system
piping and components
 Non-Newtonian Fluids (Grease)
– Viscosity is not constant with a change in shear rate
– Grease decreases in viscosity as rate of shear increases - thixotropic fluid
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 Specific Gravity

Ratio of weight of a fluid to weight of an equal volume of water

Specific Gravity of Fluid A = 80lbs./62.4 lbs.(water) = 1.282
40 kg / 31.2kg (water) = 1.282
Fluid A Water

Equal
size

80 lbs 62..4 lbs

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 Specific Gravity of Lube Fluids

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 Viscosity

 Definition: A measurement of a fluid's resistance to flow at a given

temperature or simply stated, it’s how thick or thin the fluid is at a given
temperature
 Viscosity can be changed using:
– temperature (warm reduces and cold increases viscosity)
• cold materials require more pressure than warmer materials
– solvents (change S.G. as well)
– shear
 CAUTION: Check with material suppliers before adding heat, especially
with grease
– Oils become separated from the base component of the grease which can impact
the performance of the grease

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 Oil Viscosity Measurement

 Oil is commonly measured in Saybolt Universal Seconds (SSU/SUS), or Centistokes

(cSt)
 Graco converts this information to Centipoise when calculating frictional pressure loss.

Centisoke/Saybolt Universal Viscosity Conversion Chart @ 100 F

Centisokes Saybolt Universal Centisokes Saybolt Universal Centisokes Saybolt Universal
Seconds Seconds Seconds
(cSt) (SUS/SSU) (cSt) (SUS/SSU) (cSt) (SUS/SSU)
2.7 35 16.9 85 36.3 170
4.2 40 18.1 90 38.5 180
5.8 45 19.3 95 40.7 190
7.4 50 20.5 100 43.0 200
8.9 55 22.9 110 47.3 220
10.3 60 25.2 120 51.7 240
11.7 65 27.4 130 56.0 260
13.1 70 29.7 140 60.3 280
14.4 75 31.9 150 64.7 300
15.7 80 34.1 160 70.0 325
To obtain approximate conversions for viscosities higher than those shown, use the folloing conversion factors:
Saybolt (SUS/SSU) = Centistokes (cSt) x 4.6
Centistokes (cSt) = Sabolt (SUS/SSU)/4.6
Centipoise (cp) = Centistokes (cSt) x Specific Gravity

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 Additional Viscosity Conversion

 Consult the
Lubrication
Equipment
Technical Data Book
(302-395)
 This form is located
on this CD
 Note: Only a portion
of chart is shown
here

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 Oil Viscosity's in Centipoise

Temperature Correction of Oil Viscosity(cp)

100° F 90° F 80° F 70° F 60° F 50° F 40° F 30° F 20° F 10° F 0° F
Crankcase
Viscosity ISO No. 38° C 32° C 27° C 21° C 15° C 10° C 4° C -1° C -7° C -12° C -18° C
5w 22
10w 32 34 45 59 77 117 171 252 396 675 1080 2250
A.T.F -- 34 41 59 68 86 117 153 225 315 459 765
Hydraulic 46 12 13 15 18 20 22 24 27 29 39 43
20w 68 67 90 126 180 270 387 630 1080 1800 3150 6300
10w30 68 90 117 153 225 315 459 720 1080 1800 3420
30w 100 99 135 180 288 540 720 1080 1890 3600 6300 13500
40w 150 153 216 306 450 675 1080 1800 3240 5400 10800 22500
50w 220 234 324 450 675 1080 1800 2790 5400 9450 18000 40500
90w gear 320 360 518 765 1089 1800 2880 5400 9450 18000 36000 81000
140w gear 460 473 720 1080 1620 2700 4500 7650 14400 27000 54000 100,000+

Readings are in centipoise (formula used is centistokes X .9 = centipoise).

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 Grease Viscosity's

 NLGI (National Lubricating Grease Institute)

 Grease numbers refer to their ability to penetrate through
a cone shaped die
 Soft grease penetrates easier than stiff greases (i.e., NLGI
000 is softest, and NLGI 6 is the stiffest)
 Most common grease used is NLGI #2
 Grease is non-newtonian so will decrease in viscosity as
it is pumped from it’s static viscosity (i.e., NLGI #1 =
100,000 cp and NLGI #2 = 150,000 cps

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 Chemical Compatibility

 Wetted parts include all components within the pump and system
 Wetted parts must be compatible with fluids
 Chemical resistance varies with:
– temperature
– pressure
– flow
– oxidizing agents
 Use
– Chemical Compatibility Guide (314-790)
– Cole Parmer Chemical Compatibility Guide on Graco’s web site

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