Second edition

1994-12-01

Viscosimetres à capil/aire, en verre, pour viscosité cinématique -

Spécifications et mode d'emploi

r ,,'!
c,r.'"
-r~
t'
~,~,j .'-");
...'...,,',""
,-'-'
~ ,-
-: ~
g <D
~O ;"';;' 1 E"t,
'"\T
-"~'-I..,, I"t'\
O,
0,"'Ij"~.\
..'~~'"' \

~~~
~ISOJ
~~~ Reference number
ISO 3105:1994(E)
 -
ISO 3105:1994(E)

Contents
Page

1 Scope 1

2 Normative reference 1

3 Symbols for viscometer parts 1

4 Viscometer materiais and manufacture 00000 2

5 Viscometer holder and alignment 2

6 Calibration of viscometers 2

7 Kinematic viscosity calculation 4

Annexes
A Modified Ostwald viscometers 6'

B Suspended-level viscometers 22

c Reverse-flow viscometers 42

""'\

o ISO 1994
Ali rights reserved. Unless otherwise specilied. no part 01 this publication may be reproduced
or utilized in any lorm or by any means. electroruc or mechanical. mcluding photocoPYlngand
microfilm. without permission in wntmg from the publisher.
Intemational Organization for Standardization
Case Postale 56. CH-1211 Genéve 20. Switzerland
Printed in Switzerland

II

~
'
 INTERNATIONAL STANDARD o ISO
ISO 3105:1994(E)

WARNING -The use of this International Standard may involve hazardous materiais, operations
and equipment. This International Standard does not purport to address ali of the safety problems
associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this International Standard to establish
appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations
prior to use.

1 Scope 3 Symbols for viscometer parts

This International Standard gives specifications and
operating instructions for glass capillary viscometers
widely used for the determination of kinematic vis-
cosity of petroleum products by the procedure de- Letters are used to designate specific parts of each
scribed in ISO 3104. The calibration of these viscometer described in the annexes. These letters
viscometers is also described. are also used in the text of this Internationôl Standard
when reference to the viscometers is given. The more
The types of viscometers described are modified
frequently used letters on the figures in the annexes
Ostwald viscometers (annex A). suspended-level vis-
are as follows:
cometers (annex 8) and reverse-flow viscometers
(annex CIo Other viscometers of the glass capillary A Lower reservoir
type which are capable of measuring kinematic vis-
cosity within the limits of precision given in ISO 3104 8 Suspended levei bulb
may be usedo
C and J Timing bulbs

2 Normative reference o Upper reservoir

The following standard contains provisions which. E. F and Timing marks

through reference in this text, constitute provisions
of this International Standard. At the time of publi- G and H Filling marks
cation. the edition indicated was valido Ali standards
are subject to revision. and pal1ies to agreements K Overflow tube
based on this International Standard are encouraged L Mounting tube
to investigate the possibility of applying the most re-
cent edition of lhe standard indicated below. Mem- M Lower vent tube
bers of IEC and ISO maintain registers of currently
valid International Standards. N Upper vent tube

ISO 3104:1994. Perroleum products -Transparenr p Connectingtube

and opaque iiqu/ds -Dererminar/on of kinemar/c v/s-
R Working capillary
cosiry and calcularion of dynamic viscosity.
 1593105:1994(E) ~ ISO

4 Viscometer materiais and 25 mm x 59 mm. is often cemented on to Zeitfuchs

cross-arm and Zeitfuchs viscometers. Viscometers fitted
manufacture 'Nith metal tops should be set vertically in the constant-
temperature bath with the aid of a plumb fine.
4.1 Fully annealed. low-expansion borosilicate glass
shall be used for the canslructian of ali viscomelers. in each figure. lhe numbers which follow the tube
The size numoer. seriai number ano manufacturer's designa!!on indicate lhe outside tube diameter, in
designation shôll be permanentiy marked on e~ch millimetres. It is imporIant to maintain these diam-
viscomeler. Ali timing marks shall be elched and filled eters and the desig'nated spacing to ensure that
with an opôque colour. ar otherwise ma de ô perma- holders wilf be interchangeable.
nem pan ai lhe viscomeler.
6 Calibration of viscometers
4.2 With lhe exception of the FiizSimons and
Atlantic viscometers. ail viscometers shall be ce-
6.1 Procedures
signed to fit through a 51 mm hoje in the lid of a
constant-temperature bath having a iiquiá depth of at
Calibrate the kinematic glass capillary viscometers
least 280 mm; it is assumed that the surface of the~th
covered by this International Standard using the pro-
liquid wijl be not more than 45 mm from the top
cedures specified in annexes A to C.
the bath lido

NOTE 1 For certain constant-temperature baths. es- 6.2 Reference viscometers

pecially at low or high temperatures. it may be necessary
to construct the viscometers with the uppermost tubes
6.2.1 Select a clear petroleum oil, free from solid
longer than shown in the annexes to ensure adequa te im-
particles and possessing Newtonian flow character-
mersion in the constant-temperature bath. Viscometers so
modified can oe used to measure kinematic vlscosity within istics. vvith a kinematic viscosity within the range of
the precision of the test method. The lengths of tubes ano both the reference visco meter and the viscometer to
bulbs sho\'oIn in the figures should be maintained within be cafibrated. The minimum flow time shall be greater
:t 10 % or = 10 mm, whichever is less, such that the cali- than that specified in the appropriate table of the an-
bration constant of the visco meter does not vary by more nex in both the reference viscometer and the vis-
than :t 15 % from the nominal value. cometer which is to be calibrated in arder that the
kinetic energy correction (see 7.1) may be less than
5 Visco meter holder ano aiignment 0,2 %.

Ali viscometers which have the upjJer meniscus di- 6.2.2 Select a caiibrated viscometer of known vis-
rectiy
above lhe lower meniscus (Cannon-Fenske~utine cometer constant C,.
in annex A ano ali viscometers in annex B)
NOTE 4 This viscometer may be a reference visco meter
,11be mounted in a constant-temperature bath with
ídriving head at least 400 mm) that has been calibrated by
tube L held within 10 of the vertical, as observ~d with
the step-up procedure using viscometers of successively
a plumb bcb or other equally accurate inspection
larger diameters. starting with distilled water as the basic
means. kinematic viscosity standard. or a routine viscometer 01 the
same type that has been calibrated by comparison with a
NOTE 2 A number of commercially available holders are refef ence viscometer.
so designed that the tube L is held perpendicular to the iid
of a constant-temperature bath; nevertheless. the vis- The calibration of the reference viscometer should only be
cometer should be tested with a plumb line in arder to en- carried out by a reputable laboratory meeting the require-
sure that the tube l is in a vertical position. ments of, for example. ISO Guidc 25.

Those viscometers whose upper meniscus is offset Mount the calibrated viscometer together with lhe
rrom directiv above the iower meniscus (ali other vis- viscometer to be caliprated in the same bath and de-
cometers in annex A ano ali viscometers in annex C) termine the flow times of the petroleum oil in ac-
shall be mounted in a constant-temperature bath with cordance with ISO 3104.
tube L held within 0.30 of the ver1icai.
6.2.3 Calculate lhe viscometer constant C, as foi.
NOTE 3 Round metal tops. designed to lit above ê
IOWS:
51 mm hoje In the jid of the bath. are trequently cememea
on to Zellfucns. Zeitfuchs cross-arm and Lantz-Zeitfucns c: = (/2 X C2)/ll (1)
vlscometers \vhlcn tl1en ale permanently moumed on the
lid 01 lhe bath Also a rectangular metal topo wnere

2
 4,)ISO ISO 3105:1994(E)

c, is the constant of the viscometer being C2=(g2!g,)C, ...(2)

calibrated;
where the subscripts 1 and 2 indicate respectively the

11
is lhe flow time, to lhe nearest 0,1 5, in standardization laboratory and the testing laboratory.
lhe viscometer being calibrated;
6.3 Viscosity reference standards
is the constant of the calibrated vis-
C2
cometer; Kinematic viscosity reference standards 11are available
having the approximate kinematic viscosity shown in
is the flow time. to the neôrest 0.1 s. in
12 table 1. Certified kinematic viscosity values are estab-
the calibrated viscometer.
lished by cooperative tests and are supplied with each
delivery.
6.2.4 Repeat 6.2.1 to 6.2.3 with a second oii whose
flow times are at least 50 % longer than the first oil. 6.3.1 Select from table 1 a viscosity reference stan-
If lhe two values of CI differ by less than 0.2 % for dard with a kinematic viscosity at the calibration tem-
those viscometers listed in annexes A ano B ano less perature within the kinematic viscosity range of the
r than 0.3 % for those visc?meters listed in an~ex C. visco meter to be calibrated and a minimum flow time
use lhe average as lhe vlscometer constam for tne greater than that specified in the appropriate table of
viscometer being caiibrated. If the constams differ by the annex. Determine the flow time, to the nearest
more 1han this vaiue. repeat lhe procedure. taking 0,1 s. in accordance with ISO 3104, and calculate the
care 10 examine ali possible sources of errors. viscometer constant, C, as Tollows:
c = vIr (3)
6.2.5 ihe calibraticn constant. C. is dependem upon
where
the gravitational acceieration at the place of caiibration
and this must. therefore. be supplied by the stan- v is the kinematic viscosity. in millimetres
dardization laboratory, together with the instrument squared per secando for the reference
constant. Where the acceleration of gravity. ;.'. differs standard liquid;
by more than 0.1 %, correct the calibration constant
as follows: 1 is the flow time. in seconds.

Table 1 -Typicai viscosity reference standards

Approximate kinematic viscosity

Designation
r of viscosity
õeference
mm21s

'C
standard .
-40 20 25 40 50 100

3 80 4,6 4.0 2.9 1.2

6 i1 8.~ 5,7 1,8

." o
20 44 34 18 "'o'"'

60 110 120 54 7,2

::)0 640 450 180 17

eoo 2400 16UU 520 280 32

2000 ~ 100 5600 1700 75

8000 37 000 23 Ouu 6700

30 000 310UU 23 000 11 UOO

1) ViscoslIV refcrence $Iandards are availiihle "' cenaln coumrles írom nallonai laboraIOrl(~S or olher aulhorlzed sources These
1(!f(~'el1<~l~
114111(j5
COVl'r Ih(~ r;1I1!1e01 ;111VI~;(:O'll(!(CrS descllbed "' IIIIS ImernallOfl;JI SI,Jl1dard
 ISO 3105:1994(E) Cj ISO

6.3.2 Repeat with a second reference standard grouping the nonvariable terms into a constant. C, as
whose flow times are at least 50 % tanger than the follows:
first reference standard. If the .two values of C differ
v = Cr (.5)
by less than 0.2 % for those viscometers list~d in an-
nexes A and B and less than 0.3 % for those vis-
cometers listed in annex C. use the average as the 7.2 Kinetic energy correction
viscometer constant for the viscometer being cali-.
brated. If the constants differ by more than this value. The viscometers described in the annexes A to C are
repeat the procedure. taking care to examine ali designed such that the kinetic energy correctíon term,
possible sources of errors. E/? is negligible íf the flow time is more than 200 s.
In the case of severa! sizes of viscometers for the
measurement of low kinematic viscosity Jiquids. a
6.4 Expression oi viscometer constant
minimum flow time greater than 200 s is required in
Report lhe viscometer constant. C. to lhe nearest arder that the kinetic energy correction term, E/?
0,1 % of lhe determined value. This generally means~r shall be negligible. The minimum flow times required
significam figures from 1 x 10N to 6,999 x 10N are given in footnotes to the appropriate tables of
j three significant figures from 7 x 10N to viscometer dimensions in the annexes A to C.
;J,99 x 10N.
For viscometers whose constants C are 0,01 mm2fs2
or less, the kinetic energy correction may be signifi-
7 Kinematic viscosity caiculation cant if the minimum 200 s flow time is not observed.

7.1 Basic formuia 7.3 Maximum flow time

In principie. the calculation of kinematic viscosity is A limit of 1 000 s has been set arbitrarily for con-
related to the dimensions of the viscometer according venience as lhe recommended maximum flow time
to the Hagen-Poiseuille law as follows: for lhe viscometers covered by this International
v = (10õ7t,~D4Ht/128v'L) -E/t2 ...(4)
Standard. Longer flow times may be used.

where 7.4 Suriace tension correction

is lhe kinematic viscosity, in millimetres
If the two menisci have different average diameters
squared persecond; during the flow time and if the surface tension of the
sample differs substantially from the calibrating liquido
,-- ,li is the acceieration due to gravlty. In metres
a surface tension correction is necessary. The COí-
per second squared;
rected constant. Ccorr. is given approximately as fol-
D is the diamerer oi the capillary, in metres; lows:

is the length of the capiilary, in metres; Ccorr= C[1 + (2/gH) (1/ru -l/rJ(yc/pc -J't/Pt)]
L

H is the average distance between the upper (6)

and lower menisci (average driving headJ. where
in metres;
.1: is the acceleration due to gravíty. ín metres
is the timed volume of liquids passing per second squared;
through the capiilary. in metres cubed (ap-
proximateiy lhe volume of the timing bulb); H is the average length of the drívíng head,
ill metres;
E is lhe kinetic energy factor tn square
millimetre seconds; lU is the average radius of the upper
meniscus. in metres;
is the f!ow time, In seconds.
is the average radíus 01 the lower
If the VISCOmeter IS selected so that the mlnlmum mentscus. in metres;
fJow time shown in the lables of annexes A to C is
exceeded. The kinetic energy termo 1::/(2. becomes in- IS the surtace tenSlon, In neWtons per
slgnificant and equatlon (4) may be slmplified by metre;

\'
e'OISO ISO 3105:1994(E)

p is lhe density, in kilograms per cubic me.

(7)
tre.
where
Subscripts c and t relate to values obtained wíth
the calibrating liquid and the test portion. respect- c, is the constant of the visco meter when
ively. filled and calibrated at the same tempera-
fure;
While this correction applies to ali viscometers, a
number of viscometers are designed to minimize the v is the volume of charge. in millilitres;
surface tension correction. The greatest correction
normally encountered is with a viscometer calibrated D is the average dia meter of the meniscus in
with water and used for oils. Generaily, viscometers the lower reservoir for the Cannon-Fenske
are calibrated ano used with hydrocarbons whose routine. Pinkevitch and Cannon-Manning
surface tensions are close enough for these cor- semimicro viscometers. and in the upper
rections to be insignificant. reseNoir of the Cannon-Fenske opaque
viscometer. in millimetres;
7.5 Effect of temperature H is the average length of the driving head.
in millimetres;
7.5.1 lhe viscometer constant. C. is independent of
temperature for ali those viscometers which have the p is the density of the te5t liquid at the filling
volume of sample adjusted at bath temperature ônd temperature. in kilograms per litre
for ali suspended-level viscometers. [kg/(m3 x 10- 3)];

7.5.2 The followir;g viscometers. which have a fixed P2 is the density of the test liquid at the test
volume charged at ambient temperature. have a vis- temperature. in kilograms per litre
cometer constant. C. which varies with temperature: [kgf(m3 x 10- 3)];
Cannon-renske routine. Pinkevitch. Cannon-Manning
semimicro. Cannon-Fenske opaque. 7.5.2.2 The temperature dependence of C for the
Cannon-Fenske opaque (reverse-ffow) visco meter is
7.5.2.1 The following equation can be used to cal- given as follows:
culate the viscometer constam at temperatures other
than the calibration temperature ror the Canncn-
Fenske routine, Pinkevitch ano Cannon-Mônning
semimicro viscometers:

:>