

However, an appropriate measure of viscosity can be given with the help of a viscometer. The slower the ball will fall, the greater the viscosity it will have. The primary way of measuring viscosity is to drop a sphere, such as a ball, in a fluid and simultaneously time the fall of it. Measuring the viscosity of any matter helps in determining and designing the production and transportation procedure. For example, if the viscosity of toothpaste is not appropriate it will either be very difficult to pump out the toothpaste or a lot of toothpaste will be pumped out in one go. Viscosity of a given matter is calculated in order to measure the behaviour of the matter in the actual world. Viscosity has a dimensional formula of . For instance, the viscosity of water at 27☌ (81☏) is 0.85 × 10 −3 and at 77☌ (171☏) it is 0.36 × 10 −3 pascal-second. However, the same for air at these temperatures are 1.85 × 10 −5 and 2.08 × 10 −5 pascal-second respectively.ĭifference in Viscosity between Water and Honey The SI unit of Viscosity if Poiseiulle (PI). Viscosity can be referred to as friction between the molecules of fluid. When the temperature is high the kinetic energy of a molecule also rises which results in the slipping of the intermolecular through one another between the layers. The Viscosity in a liquid decreases with the rise in temperature. The formula of Viscosity is: \(η = \frac\). The reciprocal of the viscosity is known as “fluidity”, which can be defined as a measure of the ease of flow. It typically occurs when a relative motion can be found between the layers of the fluid. Viscosity simply represents “the opposition to flow”. For more information on premium and food grade mineral oils, including high viscosity white oils that are right for you and your company, contact Renkert Oil today.Viscosity measures the resistance in the flow of a liquid which arises due to internal frictions between layers of the fluids. Understanding the differences between high viscosity oils and low viscosity oils can be helpful in selecting the right oil for your industrial needs. While low viscosity mineral oils are an essential part of many operations, their uses differ from those of high viscosity oils. However, the potential applications determine what viscosity is needed. Mineral oil applications can include acting as a mold release agent, a catalyst carrier oil, dust control, a pigment dispersing agent and more.įor example, low viscosity oils are essential in metal rolling, oil drilling and manufacturing many food-grade items. Low viscosity oils also play their part in manufacturing and nearly every industry. Windmill bearing lubricants are a specialty lubricant application that requires high viscosity where normal mineral oils with viscosity boosting additives may not perform as well as naturally higher viscosity mineral oil. The superior stability of the high viscosity white oil and its long molecules reduce migration to the surface of rubber-like plastic parts that can be used for food contact. High viscosity white oils can also be used to create food-grade items. Another excellent application for high viscosity oil is as a grease component that can handle heat. Using high viscosity oils mean that the soft-touch parts remain soft because the oil remains in the parts even through years of high-temperature use (think hot summer interiors of cars).

Lighter oils evaporate in high-temperature applications like baking or as automotive soft-touch interior components. The advantage of high viscosity oils is that they have longer molecules and higher boiling point which means that they stay where they are put. While many people think of oils as a cooking ingredient or as motor oils, high viscosity oils are used in more specialized applications. High viscosity oils refer to higher molecular weight (longer molecules), lower volatility oils that are thicker than others. The chemical makeup of a liquid determines its viscosity, as well as defining potential applications. High viscosity liquids are thicker, such as syrup, while low viscosity liquids are thinner, like water. This quality impacts how the liquid moves and flows, as well as what it can be used for. Generally speaking, viscosity refers to the thickness of a liquid. This basic guide to high viscosity oils will help you understand where they’re used and what makes an oil count as high-viscosity.

In fact, the United States is the world’s number one producer and consumer of mineral oil, representing an 18% share. Different types of mineral oils are everywhere in daily life, from baby oil, engine lubrication oils to high viscosity oils and many more.
