ASTM D2161-20

Standard Practice for Conversion of Kinematic Viscosity to Saybolt Universal Viscosity or to Saybolt Furol Viscosity

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 At one time the petroleum industry relied on measuring kinematic viscosity by means of the Saybolt viscometer, and expressing kinematic viscosity in units of Saybolt Universal Seconds (SUS) and Saybolt Furol Seconds (SFS). This practice is now obsolete in the petroleum industry.  
4.2 This practice establishes the official equations relating SUS and SFS to the SI kinematic viscosity units, mm2/s.  
4.3 This practice allows for the conversion between SUS and SFS units and SI units of kinematic viscosity.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice2 covers the conversion tables and equations for converting kinematic viscosity in mm2/s at any temperature to Saybolt Universal viscosity in Saybolt Universal seconds (SUS) at the same temperature and for converting kinematic viscosity in mm2/s at 122 °F and 210 °F (50 °C and 98.9 °C) to Saybolt Furol viscosity in Saybolt Furol seconds (SFS) at the same temperatures. Kinematic viscosity values are based on water being 1.0034 mm2/s (cSt) at 68 °F (20 °C).  
1.2 If a method other than Test Method D445 is used to generate the kinematic viscosity data, apply appropriate relative-bias correction factors as found in the precision section of that method, before performing the calculations of this practice.
Note 1: The equations in D2161 were originally empirically derived using data from both D445 and the Saybolt viscometer method. Therefore, it is conceivable that an error could result if the kinematic viscosities used are not bias-corrected to D445 results. It is recommended that kinematic viscosity be reported in millimetres squared per second, instead of Saybolt Universal Seconds (SUS) or Saybolt Furol Seconds (SFS). This method is being retained for the purpose of calculation of kinematic viscosities from SUS and SFS data that appear in past literature. One millimetre squared per second (mm2/s) equals one centistoke (cSt), which is another unit commonly found in older literature.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for reference information purposes only. The SI unit of kinematic viscosity is mm2/s.  
1.3.1 Exception—Fahrenheit temperature units are used in this practice because they are accepted by industry for the type of legacy conversions described in this practice.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2020
• ICS: 17.060 - Measurement of volume, mass, density, viscosity
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.07 - Flow Properties

Standards Content (Sample)

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.
Designation: D2161 − 20
Standard Practice for
Conversion of Kinematic Viscosity to Saybolt Universal
1
Viscosity or to Saybolt Furol Viscosity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2161; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
2 safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This practice covers the conversion tables and equa-
2 responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tions for converting kinematic viscosity in mm /s at any
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
temperature to Saybolt Universal viscosity in Saybolt Univer-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
sal seconds (SUS) at the same temperature and for converting
2 1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
kinematic viscosity in mm /s at 122°F and 210°F (50°C and
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
98.9°C) to Saybolt Furol viscosity in Saybolt Furol seconds
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
(SFS)atthesametemperatures.Kinematicviscosityvaluesare
2
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
based on water being 1.0034mm /s (cSt) at 68°F (20°C).
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.2 If a method other than Test Method D445 is used to
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
generate the kinematic viscosity data, apply appropriate
relative-biascorrectionfactorsasfoundintheprecisionsection
2. Referenced Documents
of that method, before performing the calculations of this
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
practice.
D445Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent
NOTE 1—The equations in D2161 were originally empirically derived
and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of DynamicViscos-
usingdatafrombothD445andtheSayboltviscometermethod.Therefore,
ity)
itisconceivablethatanerrorcouldresultifthekinematicviscositiesused
are not bias-corrected to D445 results. It is recommended that kinematic
D2270Practice for Calculating Viscosity Index from Kine-
viscositybereportedinmillimetressquaredpersecond,insteadofSaybolt
matic Viscosity at 40°C and 100°C
UniversalSeconds(SUS)orSayboltFurolSeconds(SFS).Thismethodis
D7042Test Method for Dynamic Viscosity and Density of
beingretainedforthepurposeofcalculationofkinematicviscositiesfrom
Liquids by Stabinger Viscometer (and the Calculation of
SUS and SFS data that appear in past literature. One millimetre squared
2
per second (mm /s) equals one centistoke (cSt), which is another unit Kinematic Viscosity)
commonly found in older literature.
3. Summary of Practice
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
3.1 The Saybolt Universal viscosity equivalent to a given
reference information purposes only. The SI unit of kinematic
kinematic viscosity varies with the temperature at which the
2
viscosity is mm /s.
determination is made. The basic conversion values are those
1.3.1 Exception—Fahrenheit temperature units are used in
given in Table 1 for 100°F. The Saybolt Universal viscosity
this practice because they are accepted by industry for the type
equivalent to a given kinematic viscosity at any temperature
of legacy conversions described in this practice.
may be calculated as described in 4.3. Equivalent values at
210°F are given in Table 1 for convenience.
3.2 The Saybolt Furol viscosity equivalents are tabulated in
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum
Table 3 for temperatures of 122°F and 210°F only.
Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
mittee D02.07 on Flow Properties.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2020. Published January 2021. Originally
3
approvedin1963,replacingformerD446andD666.Lastpreviouseditionapproved For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
in 2019 as D2161 – 19. DOI: 10.1520/D2161-20. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
2
This practice, together with Practice D2270, replaces Compilation of ASTM Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Viscosity Tables for Kinematic Viscosity Conversions. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D2161 − 19 D2161 − 20
Standard Practice for
Conversion of Kinematic Viscosity to Saybolt Universal
1
Viscosity or to Saybolt Furol Viscosity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2161; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
2 2
1.1 This practice covers the conversion tables and equations for converting kinematic viscosity in mm /s at any temperature to
Saybolt Universal viscosity in Saybolt Universal seconds (SUS) at the same temperature and for converting kinematic viscosity
2
in mm /s at 122 °F and 210 °F (50 °C and 98.9 °C) to Saybolt Furol viscosity in Saybolt Furol seconds (SFS) at the same
2
temperatures. Kinematic viscosity values are based on water being 1.0034 mm /s (cSt) at 68 °F (20 °C).
1.2 If a method other than Test Method D445 is used to generate the kinematic viscosity data, apply appropriate relative-bias
correction factors as found in the precision section of that method, before performing the calculations of this practice.
NOTE 1—The equations in D2161 were originally empirically derived using data from both D445 and the Saybolt viscometer method. Therefore, it is
conceivable that an error could result if the kinematic viscosities used are not bias-corrected to D445 results. It is recommended that kinematic viscosity
be reported in millimetres squared per second, instead of Saybolt Universal Seconds (SUS) or Saybolt Furol Seconds (SFS). This method is being retained
2
for the purpose of calculation of kinematic viscosities from SUS and SFS data that appear in past literature. One millimetre squared per second (mm /s)
equals one centistoke (cSt), which is another unit commonly found in older literature.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for reference
2
information purposes only. The SI unit of kinematic viscosity is mm /s.
1.3.1 Exception—Fahrenheit temperature units are used in this practice because they are accepted by industry for the type of
legacy conversions described in this practice.
1.4 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.
1.5 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.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.07 on Flow Properties.
Current edition approved May 1, 2019Dec. 1, 2020. Published May 2019January 2021. Originally approved in 1963, replacing former D446 and D666. Last previous
edition approved in 20172019 as D2161 – 17.19. DOI: 10.1520/D2161-19. 10.1520/D2161-20.
2
This practice, together with Practice D2270, replaces Compilation of ASTM Viscosity Tables for Kinematic Viscosity Conversions.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D2161 − 20
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
D2270 Practice for Calculating Viscosity Index from Kinematic Viscosity at 40 °C and 100 °C
D7042 Test Method for Dynamic Viscosity and Density of Liquids by Stabinger Viscometer (and the Calculation of Kinematic
Viscosity)
4
2.2 ASTM Adjunct:
ADJD2161 Viscosity Extrapolation Tables to Zero Degrees Fahrenheit (SSU)
3. Summary of Practice
3.1 The Saybolt Universal viscosity equivalent to a given kinematic viscosity varies with the temperature at which the
determination is made. The basic conversion values are those given in Table 1 for
...