ASTM D445 2017 Update – Viscosity of Petroleum

ASTM D445, Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity), has just been updated.  The new 2017 Edition is available now from Document Center Inc., an authorized ASTM distributor.  I blogged about this standard back in 2011 (New ASTM D445 2011).  The standard is widely used in the petroleum industry.

The test is used primarily for a variety of fuel oils.  Basically, you measure the time it takes for a specific volume of liquid to flow through a calibrated glass tube (called a capillary viscometer.)  Calculations result in the dynamic viscosity value.

It is interesting to note that the ASTM D445 2003 was the basis for the ISO 3104.  Since that time, the ASTM standard has been updated many times.  The ISO publication has remained stable since 1997.  Let’s take a look at the recent major changes to the new ASTM edition.

  • New precision estimates for used (in-service) formulated oils have been added to sections 17.2.1 and 17.2.2.
  • There’s a new footnote 18 providing additional information on the above change.
  • Subsection 17.3 has been removed.

Additional smaller corrections are also found in the updated ASTM D445.  If you’d like to get a complete run-down, purchase the redline edition.  You’ll get a clean copy of the 2017 Edition plus a “marked-up” copy of the previous 2015a Edition.  This makes all the changes visible to you.

These are technical changes, affecting the usage of the document.  If you use this standard, you’ll want to purchase a copy of the new 2017 Edition.  You’ll find an extensive list of ASTM Standards, both current and obsolete, available at our Document Center Inc. webstore, www.document-center.com.  Here is a direct link to the order page for ASTM D445.  You can get a copy in either paper format or for pdf download.  If you’re interested, all ASTM standards can also be purchased as cloud subscription access documents for your entire company.

For more information, get in touch with our staff by phone (650-591-7600) or email (info@document-center.com).  We’ve been selling standards since 1982 and under contract with ASTM since the 1980’s as well.  Our services provide you with an additional layer of security when working with compliance documentation.  Make us your Standards Experts!