VI improvers work – expressed in a simplified way – via shape change. They can be used for both mineral and synthetic base oil types. These are mainly oil soluble polymers or copolymers. One of the most important groups comprises viscosity index improvers 4 (= VII)/viscosity modifiers. To get detailed information on the viscosity properties of engine oil at various temperatures for different SAE grades, see the following Anton Paar table: Viscosity of engine oil.įor an overview of the viscosity indexes of different fluids see the following table:įormulated lube oils contain various additives. The content of viscosity modifiers is approximately 5 % to 20 %. The VI of common oil types ranges from -60 to over 400. The maximum achievable VI depends on the used base oil type as well as on the type and concentration of VI improvers in the oil. To obtain the required temperature-related viscosity properties of oil, VI improvers, also known as viscosity modifiers, are added to the base oil. Oils which have the same kinematic viscosity at 40 ☌ can have very different properties at 100 ☌. to use it for lubrication within an internal combustion engine, the temperature-related viscosity change must be considered as it differs between oil types. When choosing oil for a special purpose, e.g. A high VI means the opposite: a small change of viscosity over a wide temperature range. Such oils are highly viscous at low temperatures and rather thin at high temperatures. It follows a double logarithmic function.Ī low VI expresses a considerable change of viscosity with change of temperature. Furthermore, the viscosity change over temperature is not linear. Additional influences such as oxidation, contamination, and pressure during operation have an impact on the viscosity. To compare SUS (ASTM D88) with mm²/s, an online calculator, such as the Anton Paar calculator for ASTM D88 / Saybolt universal viscosity can be used.Ĭompared to water, which has nearly the same flow behavior over a wide temperature range, oil changes its viscosity significantly with changing temperature. Today, the kinematic viscosity in mm²/s is used for the VI calculation. Initially, the viscosity was measured in Saybolt Universal Seconds (SUS). Today, temperatures of 40 ☌ and 100 ☌ are common. The Fahrenheit temperature scale is still frequently used in the Anglo-American area. In the early VI systems, the temperatures for viscosity measurement were 100 ☏ and 210 ☏, corresponding to 37.78 ☌ and 98.89 ☌.

To increase the VI to values higher than 100, new base oil types and special additives were developed later on. In the middle, a VI of around 50 would be assigned. If the oil was similar to the paraffinic oil, a VI of 100 was assigned if it was similar to the naphthenic oil, a VI of 0 was assigned. Lube oils were then compared to these benchmarks. Their VI was indicated with 0 – this was the worst possible VI. Oils with significant viscosity change (LVI-oils, refined from Texas gulf crudes, naphthenic oil) represented the low end. Their VI was indicated with 100, which represented the best VI. Oils with low temperature-dependent viscosity change (HVI-oils, refined from Pennsylvania crudes, paraffinic oil) were on the high end of the scale. For the VI scale, two limit points were set. At this time, no multi-grade oils and no synthetic oils were available. For this purpose, the viscosity index 12 for base stocks and lube oils was developed by Dean and Davis from Standard Oil in the year 1929. For any oil used under changing temperature conditions, it is important to know the change of viscosity in relation to the change of temperature. Temperature is the most influential parameter for the viscosity change of oil. The viscosity of lube oil does not give any relevant information unless the temperature, at which it was measured, is known.

Viscosity comparison chart