ASTM D2161-10

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.

This practice establishes the official equations relating SUS and SFS to the SI kinematic viscosity units, mm²/s.

This practice allows for the conversion between SUS and SFS units and SI units of kinematic viscosity.

1.1 This practice 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 and 210°F (50 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).

Note 1—A fundamental and preferred method for measuring kinematic viscosity is by use of kinematic viscometers as outlined in Test Method D445. 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.

1.2 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.

1.2.1 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.

1.3 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.