ASTM D4683 - Measuring Viscosity of New and Used Engine Oils at High Shear Rate and High Temperature by Tapered Bearing Simulator Viscometer at 150 °C

Significance and Use

5.1 Viscosity values at the shear rate and temperature of this test method have been indicated to be related to the viscosity providing hydrodynamic lubrication in automotive and heavy duty engines in severe service.7

5.2 The viscosities of engine oils under such high temperatures and shear rates are also related to their effects on fuel efficiency and the importance of high shear rate, high temperature viscosity has been addressed in a number of publications and presentations.7

1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the laboratory determination of the viscosity of engine oils at 150 °C and 1.0·106 s−1 using a viscometer having a slightly tapered rotor and stator called the Tapered Bearing Simulator (TBS) Viscometer.2

1.2 The Newtonian calibration oils used to establish this test method range from approximately 1.2 mPa·s to 7.7 mPa·s at 150 °C. The precision has only been determined for the viscosity range 1.47 mPa·s to 5.09 mPa·s at 150 °C for the materials listed in the precision section.

1.3 The non-Newtonian reference oil used to establish the shear rate of 1.0·106 s−1 for this test method has a viscosity closely held to 3.55 mPa·s at 150 °C by using the absolute viscometry of the TBS.

1.4 Manual, semi-automated, and fully automated TBS viscometers were used in developing the precision statement for this test method.

1.5 Application to petroleum products such as base oils and formulated engine oils was determined in preparing the viscometric information for this test method.

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

1.6.1 This test method uses the milliPascal·second (mPa·s) as the unit of viscosity. This unit is equivalent to the centipoise (cP).

Extracted, with permission, from ASTM D4683-20 - Measuring Viscosity of New and Used Engine Oils at High Shear Rate and High Temperature by Tapered Bearing Simulator Viscometer at 150 °C, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard may be purchased from ASTM International, astm.org