Automatic Apparent Viscosity of Engine Oils Tester

Automatic Apparent Viscosity of Engine Oils Tester

Apparent viscosity at moderate temperatures is a regulatory requirement for engine oils. The Automatic Apparent Viscosity of Engine Oils Tester automates the ASTM D445 method at 100 °C to determine kinematic viscosity, then converts to apparent viscosity via correlation factors.

A U-tube viscometer is immersed in a constant-temperature bath. An automated siphon mechanism initiates flow, and optical sensors detect meniscus transit times. The system records time intervals, applies calibration constants, and reports viscosity in mm²/s (cSt).

The instrument’s dual-bath design allows simultaneous testing of multiple samples. A robotic arm handles viscometer insertion and removal, while the integrated controller maintains bath temperature at 100 °C ±0.05 °C. Data logging software compiles daily run reports and flags out-of-spec values.

This tester is essential for blend plants and QC labs to ensure batch consistency and compliance with SAE viscosity grades. Routine cleaning of U-tubes and verification of cell constants maintain measurement accuracy.