ASTM D341-20

Standard Practice for Viscosity-Temperature Equations and Charts for Liquid Petroleum or Hydrocarbon Products

ABSTRACT
This test method details the standard procedure for plotting viscosity-temperature charts that ascertain the kinematic viscosity of a petroleum oil or liquid hydrocarbon at any temperature within a limited range, provided that the kinematic viscosities at two temperatures are known.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers kinematic viscosity-temperature equations and charts (see Figs. 1-3), which are a convenient means to ascertain the kinematic viscosity of a petroleum oil or liquid hydrocarbon at any temperature within a limited range, provided that the kinematic viscosities at two temperatures are known.
FIG. 1 Facsimile of Kinematic Viscosity-Temperature Chart I High Range (Temperature in degrees Celsius)  
FIG. 2 Facsimile of Kinematic Viscosity-Temperature Chart I Medium Range (Temperature in degrees Celsius)  
FIG. 3 Facsimile of Kinematic Viscosity-Temperature Chart I Low Range (Temperature in degrees Celsius)  
1.2 The charts are designed to permit petroleum oil kinematic viscosity-temperature data to plot as a straight line. The charts have been derived from the equations shown in Section 5. The charts here presented provide a significant improvement in linearity over the charts previously available under Method D341 – 03. This increases the reliability of extrapolation to higher temperatures.  
1.3 The values provided in SI units are to be regarded as standard.  
1.3.1 Exception—The values given in parentheses are provided for information only.  
1.4 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: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2020
• ICS: 75.080 - Petroleum products in general
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.07 - Flow Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D341-17 - Standard Practice for Viscosity-Temperature Charts for Liquid Petroleum Products
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Replaced By: ASTM D341-20e1 - Standard Practice for Viscosity-Temperature Equations and Charts for Liquid Petroleum or Hydrocarbon Products
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D6074-15(2022) - Standard Guide for Characterizing Hydrocarbon Lubricant Base Oils
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D2983-22 - Standard Test Method for Low-Temperature Viscosity of Automatic Transmission Fluids, Hydraulic Fluids, and Lubricants using a Rotational Viscometer
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D7042-21a - Standard Test Method for Dynamic Viscosity and Density of Liquids by Stabinger Viscometer (and the Calculation of Kinematic Viscosity)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D2170/D2170M-22 - Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Asphalts
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D7416-09(2020) - Standard Practice for Analysis of In-Service Lubricants Using a Particular Five-Part (Dielectric Permittivity, Time-Resolved Dielectric Permittivity with Switching Magnetic Fields, Laser Particle Counter, Microscopic Debris Analysis, and Orbital Viscometer) Integrated Tester
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D7110-21 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Viscosity-Temperature Relationship of Used and Soot-Containing Engine Oils at Low Temperatures
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D2270-10(2016) - Standard Practice for Calculating Viscosity Index from Kinematic Viscosity at 40 °C and 100 °C
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D2493/D2493M-16 - Standard Practice for Viscosity-Temperature Chart for Asphalt Binders
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D7152-11(2016)e1 - Standard Practice for Calculating Viscosity of a Blend of Petroleum Products
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D7945-21a - Standard Test Method for Determination of Dynamic Viscosity and Derived Kinematic Viscosity of Liquids by Constant Pressure Viscometer
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D5133-20a - Standard Test Method for Low Temperature, Low Shear Rate, Viscosity/Temperature Dependence of Lubricating Oils Using a Temperature-Scanning Technique
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D2422-97(2018) - Standard Classification of Industrial Fluid Lubricants by Viscosity System
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D8210-22 - Standard Test Method for Automatic Determination of Low-Temperature Viscosity of Automatic Transmission Fluids, Hydraulic Fluids, and Lubricants Using a Rotational Viscometer
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D341 − 20
Standard Practice for
Viscosity-Temperature Equations and Charts for Liquid
1
Petroleum or Hydrocarbon Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D341; 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* D445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent
and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscos-
1.1 This practice covers kinematic viscosity-temperature
ity)
equations and charts (see Figs. 1-3), which are a convenient
D7042 Test Method for Dynamic Viscosity and Density of
means to ascertain the kinematic viscosity of a petroleum oil or
Liquids by Stabinger Viscometer (and the Calculation of
liquid hydrocarbon at any temperature within a limited range,
Kinematic Viscosity)
provided that the kinematic viscosities at two temperatures are
D7279 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent
known.
and Opaque Liquids by Automated Houillon Viscometer
1.2 The charts are designed to permit petroleum oil kine-
3
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
matic viscosity-temperature data to plot as a straight line. The
Viscosity-Temperature Charts 1–7
charts have been derived from the equations shown in Section
5.The charts here presented provide a significant improvement
3. Method Limitations
in linearity over the charts previously available under Method
3.1 Warning—The charts should be used only in that range
D341 – 03. This increases the reliability of extrapolation to
inwhichthehydrocarbonorpetroleumfluidsarehomogeneous
higher temperatures.
liquids. The suggested range is thus between the cloud point at
1.3 The values provided in SI units are to be regarded as
low temperatures and the initial boiling point at higher tem-
standard.
peratures. The charts provide improved linearity in both low
1.3.1 Exception—The values given in parentheses are pro-
kinematic viscosity and at temperatures up to 340 °C (approxi-
vided for information only.
mately 650 °F) or higher. Some high-boiling point materials
can show a small deviation from a straight line as low as
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
280 °C (approximately 550 °F), depending on the individual
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
sample or accuracy of the data. Reliable data can be usefully
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
plotted in the high temperature region even if it does exhibit
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
some curvature. Extrapolations into such regions from lower
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
temperatures will lack accuracy, however. Experimental data
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
taken below the cloud point or temperature of crystal growth
will generally not be of reliable repeatability for interpolation
2. Referenced Documents
or extrapolation on the charts. It should also be emphasized
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
that fluids other than hydrocarbons will usually not plot as a
NOTE 1—Any ASTM standard that measures kinematic viscosity at
straight line on these charts.
multiple temperatures is applicable to D341. Some examples are given
3.2 These charts are derived from the equations shown in
below.
Section 5 and are applicable over the following ranges:
Fig. 1 0.30 cSt to 20 000 000 cSt and –70 °C to 370 °C
1 Fig. 2 1.50 cSt to 200 000 cSt and –40 °C to 150 °C
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum
Fig. 3 0.18 cSt to 7.0 cSt and –70 °C to 370 °C
Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and are the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D02.07 on Flow Properties.
4. Procedure for Use of the Charts
Current edition approved May 1, 2020. Published June 2020. Originally
approved in 1932. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D341 – 17. DOI:
4.1 Plot two known kinematic viscosity-temperature points
10.1520/D0341-20.
onthechart.Drawasharplydefinedstraightlinethroughthem.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No.
the ASTM website. ADJD0341CS. Original adjunct produced in 1965.
*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
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D3
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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: D341 − 17 D341 − 20
Standard Practice for
Viscosity-Temperature Equations and Charts for Liquid
1
Petroleum or Hydrocarbon Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D341; 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*
1.1 This practice covers kinematic viscosity-temperature equations and charts (see Figs. 1 and 1-23), which are a convenient
means to ascertain the kinematic viscosity of a petroleum oil or liquid hydrocarbon at any temperature within a limited range,
provided that the kinematic viscosities at two temperatures are known.
1.2 The charts are designed to permit petroleum oil kinematic viscosity-temperature data to plot as a straight line. The charts
have been derived from the equations shown in Section 5. The charts here presented provide a significant improvement in linearity
over the charts previously available under Method D341D341 – 03.–43. This increases the reliability of extrapolation to higher
temperatures.
1.3 The values provided in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
1.3.1 Exception—The values given in parentheses are provided for information only.
1.4 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
NOTE 1—Any ASTM standard that measures kinematic viscosity at multiple temperatures is applicable to D341. Some examples are given below.
D445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
D7042 Test Method for Dynamic Viscosity and Density of Liquids by Stabinger Viscometer (and the Calculation of Kinematic
Viscosity)
D7279 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids by Automated Houillon Viscometer
3
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
Viscosity-Temperature Charts 1–7
3. Technical HazardMethod Limitations
3.1 Warning—The charts should be used only in that range in which the hydrocarbon or petroleum fluids are homogeneous
liquids. The suggested range is thus between the cloud point at low temperatures and the initial boiling point at higher temperatures.
The charts provide improved linearity in both low kinematic viscosity and at temperatures up to 340 °C (approximately 650 °F)
or higher. Some high-boiling point materials can show a small deviation from a straight line as low as 280 °C (approximately
550 °F), depending on the individual sample or accuracy of the data. Reliable data can be usefully plotted in the high temperature
region even if it does exhibit some curvature. Extrapolations into such regions from lower temperatures will lack accuracy,
however. Experimental data taken below the cloud point or temperature of crystal growth will generally not be of reliable
repeatability for interpolation or extrapolation on the charts. It should also be emphasized that fluids other than hydrocarbons will
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.07 on Flow Properties.
Current edition approved July 1, 2017May 1, 2020. Published July 2017June 2020. Originally approved in 1932. Last previous edition approved in 20152017 as D341 – 09
(2015).D341 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/D0341-17.10.1520/D0341-20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJD0341CS. Original adjunct produced in 1965.
*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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D341 − 20
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D341 − 20
FIG. 1 Facsimile o
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