1.1 This test method specifies a procedure for the determination of the kinematic viscosity, ν, of liquid petroleum products, both transparent and opaque, by measuring the time for a volume of liquid to flow under gravity through a calibrated glass capillary viscometer. The dynamic viscosity, η, can be obtained by multiplying the kinematic viscosity, ν, by the density, ρ, of the liquid. NOTE 1—For the measurement of the kinematic viscosity and viscosity of bitumens, see also Test Methods D2170 and D2171. NOTE 2—ISO 3104 corresponds to Test Method D445 – 03.
1.2 The result obtained from this test method is dependent upon the behavior of the sample and is intended for application to liquids for which primarily the shear stress and shear rates are proportional (Newtonian flow behavior). If, however, the viscosity varies significantly with the rate of shear, different results may be obtained from viscometers of different capillary diameters. The procedure and precision values for residual fuel oils, which under some conditions exhibit non-Newtonian behavior, have been included.
1.3 The range of kinematic viscosities covered by this test method is from
0.2 mm2 /s to 300 000 mm2 /s (see Table A1.1) at all temperatures (see
6.3 and
6.4). The precision has only been determined for those materials, kinematic viscosity ranges and temperatures as shown in the footnotes to the precision section.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The SI unit used in this test method for kinematic viscosity is mm2 /s, and the SI unit used in this test method for dynamic viscosity is mPa·s. For user reference, 1 mm2 /s = 10-6 m2 /s = 1 cSt and 1 mPa·s = 1 cP =
0.001 Pa·s.
1.5 WARNING—Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website—http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm—for additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury and/or mercury containing products into your state or country may be prohibited by law.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ASTM D445-18 Referenced Document
ASTM D1193 Standard Specification for Reagent Water
ASTM D1217 Standard Test Method for Density and Relative Density (Specific Gravity) of Liquids by Bingham Pycnometer
ASTM D1480 Standard Test Method for Density and Relative Density (Specific Gravity) of Viscous Materials by Bingham Pycnometer
ASTM D1481 Standard Test Method for Density and Relative Density (Specific Gravity) of Viscous Materials by Lipkin Bicapillary Pycnometer
ASTM D2162 Standard Test Method for Basic Calibration of Master Viscometers and Viscosity Oil Standards
ASTM D2170 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Asphalts (Bitumens)
ASTM D2171 Standard Test Method for Viscosity of Asphalts by Vacuum Capillary Viscometer
ASTM D446 Standard Specifications and Operating Instructions for Glass Capillary Kinematic Viscometers
ASTM D6071 Standard Test Method for Low Level Sodium in High Purity Water by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
ASTM D6074 Standard Guide for Characterizing Hydrocarbon Lubricant Base Oils
ASTM D6299 Standard Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance and Control Charting Techniques to Evaluate Analytical Measurement System Performance*, 2023-07-01 Update
ASTM D6300 Standard Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias Data for Use in Test Methods for Petroleum Products and Lubricants
ASTM D6617 Standard Practice for Laboratory Bias Detection Using Single Test Result from Standard Material*, 2021-05-01 Update
ASTM D6708 Standard Practice for Statistical Assessment and Improvement of Expected Agreement Between Two Test Methods that Purport to Measure the Same Property of a Material*, 2024-03-01 Update
ASTM D7962 Standard Practice for Determination of Minimum Immersion Depth and Assessment of Temperature Sensor Measurement Drift*, 2021-05-01 Update
ASTM E1 Standard Specification for ASTM Thermometers
ASTM E1750 Standard Guide for Use of Water Triple Point Cells
ASTM E2593 Standard Guide for Accuracy Verification of Industrial Platinum Resistance Thermometers*, 2023-07-01 Update
ASTM E2877 Standard Guide for Digital Contact Thermometers*, 2024-04-23 Update
ASTM E563 Standard Practice for Preparation and Use of an Ice-Point Bath as a Reference Temperature
ASTM E644 Standard Test Methods for Testing Industrial Resistance Thermometers
ASTM E77 Standard Test Method for Inspection and Verification of Thermometers
ISO 3104 Petroleum products — Transparent and opaque liquids — Determination of kinematic viscosity and calculation of dynamic viscosity*, 2023-10-01 Update
ISO 3105 Glass capillary kinematic viscometers - Specifications and operating instructions
ISO 3696 Water for analytical laboratory use; Specification and test methods
ISO 5725 Precision of test methods; Determination of repeatability and reproducibility for a standard test method by inter-laboratory tests
ISO 9000 Quality management systems - Fundamentals and vocabulary [French version]
ISO/IEC 17025 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories [Standard in French]
ASTM D445-18 history
2024ASTM D445-24 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2023ASTM D445-23 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2021ASTM D445-21e2 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2021ASTM D445-21e1 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2021ASTM D445-21 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
0000 ASTM D445-20
2019ASTM D445-19a Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2019ASTM D445-19 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2018ASTM D445-18 Standard Practice for X-Ray Radiography of Soil Samples
2017ASTM D445-17a Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2017ASTM D445-17 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2016ASTM D445-16 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2015ASTM D445-15a Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2015ASTM D445-15 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2014ASTM D445-14a Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2014ASTM D445-14e2 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids &40;and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity&41;
2014ASTM D445-14e1 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids 40;and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity41;
2014ASTM D445-14 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids 40;and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity41;
2012ASTM D445-12 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2011ASTM D445-11a Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2011ASTM D445-11 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2010ASTM D445-10 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2009ASTM D445-09 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2006ASTM D445-06 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2004ASTM D445-04e2 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and the Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2004ASTM D445-04e1 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and the Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2004ASTM D445-04 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and the Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2003ASTM D445-03 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (the Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
2001ASTM D445-01 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (the Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
1997ASTM D445-97 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (the Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
1994ASTM D445-94e1 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (the Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
1988ASTM D445-88 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and the Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
1974ASTM D445-74 Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity Of Transparent And Opaque Liquids (And The Calculation Of Dynamic Viscosity)
1965ASTM D445-65 Standard Method Of Test For Viscosity Of Transparent And Opaque Liquids (Kinematic And Dynamic Viscosities)