The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: Bengt_Phorqs on July 31, 2009, 12:56:10 PM

Title: Oil Viscosity
Post by: Bengt_Phorqs on July 31, 2009, 12:56:10 PM
In case anyone was wondering, in my recent discourse with one of my companys' process engineers we were discussing how oil viscosity is rated.  It's really a fairly primitive method.  Basically a test sample of a controlled size is taken and heated to a specific temperature, then poured through an orifice of a known size.  The viscosity rating is how many seconds it takes the sample to flow through the orifice.  

For example if one gallon of oil at 150 degrees F is poured through a .250 opening and it take 30 seconds to flow through, then it is rated at 30 weight.  Like I said, it's fairly primitive but it's still the method that refineries use.
Title: Re: Oil Viscosity
Post by: jskola on August 03, 2009, 09:01:09 PM
so thats how they do it, very interesting and crude as you say. thanks!