Significance and Use 5.1 The significance of this test method is that it provides a means for a reliable field determination of kinematic viscosity at 40 °C without requiring solvents or chemicals for cleaning. Field use implies that the fluid may be very opaque, such as an in-service engine oil. The device may be cleaned with a disposable lint-free oil-absorbent material such as a clean cotton shop rag, and requires only 60 µL of sample for operation. As such the device provides a unique service to a range of industries where it is difficult or undesirable to obtain chemicals of any sort in order to determine the kinematic viscosity of their fluid of interest. Examples of such industries include many marine-based systems where a laboratory does not exist on-board, mines where equipment is needed for on-the-spot determination of asset viscosity, and large industrial plants where a walk-around inspection of oil sumps greatly increases efficiency. By using this test method, one can serve these crucial use-cases where a direct, immediate measure of kinematic viscosity at 40 °C may otherwise be difficult to obtain.Scope 1.1 This test method describes a means for measuring the kinematic viscosity of transparent and opaque liquids such as new and in-service lubricating oils using a miniature microchannel viscometer at 40 °C in the range of 12.9 mm2/s to 174 mm2/s 1.2 The precision has only been determined for those materials and viscosity ranges, as indicated in Section 17 on Precision and Bias. 1.3 This test method is specifically tailored to obtaining a rapid, direct, temperature- stabilized measure of the kinematic viscosity of new and in-service lubricants in the field in real- time without the use of solvents or chemical cleaning agents. The measurement takes place at 40 °C and kinematic viscosity is directly obtained. No temperature extrapolations or density corrections are necessary. 1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.5 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Some specific hazards statements are given in Section 9 on Hazards. 1.6 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.
