Measuring Viscosity
Measuring the Viscosity of Motor Oil
ME331
Laboratory Assignment #1
Prepared for: Prof. Sangeorzan
Submitted by:
Abstract
An experiment was conducted to model the effect of temperature on the viscosity of motor oil and compare the results to commercial values established by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) for SAE 30, SAE 40 and SAE 5W30.
The viscosity of the oil sample at eight temperatures between 20 °C and 55 °C was determined using a rotary Brookfield DV-II+ viscometer. The temperature of the oil sample was controlled by the circulation of water from a Brookfield TC-502 water bath temperature controller through a water jacket assembly around the oil chamber. This type of viscometer measures the torque required to rotate an immersed spindle in a fluid.
Overall, the experiment yielded appropriate results: the viscosity of the oil sample decreased as temperature increased. However, upon research, none of the three SAE motor oil viscosity ratings were within the uncertainty of ±1% of the full-scale viscosity value of the oil sample at the given temperature. The motor oil that did match the tested sample within ±1% was SAE 10W40. The next closest was SAE 30 at ±10%. If the possible motor oils are restricted to SAE 30, 40, and 5W30, it can be concluded that it was likely SAE 30.
Introduction
Motor oil is crucial for reducing excess heat due to friction in internal combustion engines and ensuring optimal performance and minimal wear. As engine lubrication is a highly important and relevant subject, efforts were made to explore how motor oil viscosity varies with temperature. To this end, a rotary Brookfield DV-II+ viscometer was implemented to measure the dynamic viscosity of a sample of motor oil at eight different temperatures between 20°C and 55°C. The device calculated the viscosity by measuring the torque required to rotate a spindle immersed in the oil at a given RPM, taking into account the geometry of the spindle and the
ME331
Laboratory Assignment #1
Prepared for: Prof. Sangeorzan
Submitted by:
Abstract
An experiment was conducted to model the effect of temperature on the viscosity of motor oil and compare the results to commercial values established by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) for SAE 30, SAE 40 and SAE 5W30.
The viscosity of the oil sample at eight temperatures between 20 °C and 55 °C was determined using a rotary Brookfield DV-II+ viscometer. The temperature of the oil sample was controlled by the circulation of water from a Brookfield TC-502 water bath temperature controller through a water jacket assembly around the oil chamber. This type of viscometer measures the torque required to rotate an immersed spindle in a fluid.
Overall, the experiment yielded appropriate results: the viscosity of the oil sample decreased as temperature increased. However, upon research, none of the three SAE motor oil viscosity ratings were within the uncertainty of ±1% of the full-scale viscosity value of the oil sample at the given temperature. The motor oil that did match the tested sample within ±1% was SAE 10W40. The next closest was SAE 30 at ±10%. If the possible motor oils are restricted to SAE 30, 40, and 5W30, it can be concluded that it was likely SAE 30.
Introduction
Motor oil is crucial for reducing excess heat due to friction in internal combustion engines and ensuring optimal performance and minimal wear. As engine lubrication is a highly important and relevant subject, efforts were made to explore how motor oil viscosity varies with temperature. To this end, a rotary Brookfield DV-II+ viscometer was implemented to measure the dynamic viscosity of a sample of motor oil at eight different temperatures between 20°C and 55°C. The device calculated the viscosity by measuring the torque required to rotate a spindle immersed in the oil at a given RPM, taking into account the geometry of the spindle and the