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Layman's explanation of saybolt second universal?

09/16/2008 9:28 PM

I will be dealing with some folks next week on the subject of various oils and solvents. (long story) The "facts" that I am getting is that "100 second oil" is OK, "60 second oil" and "40 second oil" is Bad. With out getting into too much detail now, I am presuming that by 100 second oil they really mean 100 saybolt seconds universal, ( That's my reading of their casual/sloppy vocabulary).

What I would like is for some one to explain to me in laymans terms, ie, the preachers sermon to the little children 1) my conjecture that when they say "100 second oil" is that they most likely mean 100 ssu viscosity? (not an automotive application)

2) How would I describe 100 second oil in comparison to say 60 or 40 second oil?

2a) about what carbon chain length would you expect to be correlated with a 100 second oil?

3) Just as a surfactant can reduce surface tension in water, are their additives (ie vanadium compounds?) that can reduce the apparent viscosity of 100 second oil to behave like say 60 second oil? in terms of film strength or adhesion?

please forgive the sophomoric line of questioning, I am not a crank looking for some kind of free lunch but I could use an assist on this one...

Thanks in advance.

milo

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#1

Re: Layman's explanation of saybolt second universal?

09/17/2008 7:03 AM

<...2) How would I describe 100 second oil in comparison to say 60 or 40 second oil?...>

It's "gloopier" than 60, and "lots gloopier" than 40?

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#2

Re: Layman's explanation of saybolt second universal?

09/17/2008 9:24 AM

40 second - water

60 second - milk

100 second - cream

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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Layman's explanation of saybolt second universal?

09/17/2008 8:32 PM

This site came up with a Google search for Saybolt Universal Seconds+oil along with several more.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saybolt_Universal_Second

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#4

Re: Layman's explanation of saybolt second universal?

09/18/2008 3:17 AM

Hi Milo,

"1) my conjecture that when they say "100 second oil" is that they most likely mean 100 ssu viscosity? (not an automotive application)"

very likely, people simplify speech until nobody understands

2) How would I describe 100 second oil in comparison to say 60 or 40 second oil?

only viscosity

2a) about what carbon chain length would you expect to be correlated with a 100 second oil?

if only paraffinic then chain length, if there are side chains in molecules then these are important in defining viscosity

3) Just as a surfactant can reduce surface tension in water, are their additives (ie vanadium compounds?) that can reduce the apparent viscosity of 100 second oil to behave like say 60 second oil? in terms of film strength or adhesion?

surface tension is another part of materials data and is not linked to viscosity

I don't know much about additives. There have to be antioxidants, wetting promoters (surface tension modifiers) and dry-running agents.

I would look to Ku (editor) in NASA SP 318 and SP 181.

RHABE

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#6
In reply to #4

Re: Layman's explanation of saybolt second universal?

09/18/2008 8:24 AM

Hi, everyone.

RHABE, you are absolutely correct in your in your definitions, however, Milo needs to use 'layman's' terms, so instead of saying 'viscosity', Milo needs to say 'thickness' and compare it with, let's say, "hot asphalt", which is a medium thickness, and pancake syrup, which has a light viscosity.

2a) about what carbon chain length would you expect to be correlated with a 100 second oil?

if only paraffinic then chain length, if there are side chains in molecules then these are important in defining viscosity

I didn't understand this line at all. Perhaps a diagram of the molecule would explain this part in an easier way, 1 picture = 1,000 words . . .

I will accept, from your other responses, that you are the authority in this field. If you say that surface tension doesn't play a part in this problem, that's fine.

I'm sorry if I inadvertently stepped on your foot, that was never my intention. I only wanted to 'dumb it down' to what I consider to be the lowest common denominator.

Thank you, in advance, for your understanding and indulgence.

/Ari (Orpheuse)

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#5

Re: Layman's explanation of saybolt second universal?

09/18/2008 8:06 AM

Milo,

Bellow are two SUV and SUS definitions they may help a little. you'll also find a link for there site, they have a tab for a "knowledge Base" that you may find useful as well.

Not that you don't know the definitions already, but the sampling people may refer to a little different terminology that you may find useful.

Saybolt Universal Viscosity (SUV) or Saybolt Universal Seconds, (SUS) -- the time in seconds required for 60 cubic centimeters of a fluid to flow through the orifice of the Standard Saybolt Universal Viscometer at a given temperature under specified conditions. (ASTM Designation D 88.)

Viscosity, SUS -- Saybolt Universal Seconds (SUS), which is the time in seconds for 60 milliliters of oil to flow through a standard orifice at a given temperature. This viscosity system is still in limited use, although it has been generally replaced by the ISO grading system.

http://www.analystsinc.com/

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#7

Re: Layman's explanation of saybolt second universal?

09/18/2008 9:11 AM

Folks,

FIST: the SSU viscosity is completely outdated and now we have to talk about mm2/sec = square milimeters per second that is what previously was meant with centiStokes, from this guy Stoke that developed don't know what.

SECOND: Every viscosity is related to a temperature. In saying 100 seconds, they have to say at what temperature is meassured. SSU was meassured normally at 100ºF, equal 37.8ºC. Germans meassured in ºEngler at 50 ºC. ISO Viscosity Grades meassures at 40ºC. SAE W grades meassures at 0ºF otherwise at 100ºF also.

With this base, I propose you to ask your partners to define the viscosity, lets say 100 seconds means to me 21 centiStokes at 40ºC.

Then get to that viscosity by getting the right base oil, or by blending different base oils. There are tables for blending different viscosities and how much you need to mix of each viscosity,

Later you think of the properties: For adhesiveness get a PB, for wear resistance get an EP package, so you can get the right properties for the application.

At the end, adjust the viscosity back to the requirements since it suffered deviations when you blended the additives.

Good luck in your meeting next week!

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#9
In reply to #7

Re: Layman's explanation of saybolt second universal?

09/18/2008 9:34 AM

Thanks everyone.

All inputs have been very helpful.

Imagine if you will that you may use no oil products in your machine shop with a viscosity of less 100ssu... And no solvents to remove the 100 second oil...

I'll keep you posted.

milo

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#10
In reply to #9

Re: Layman's explanation of saybolt second universal?

09/18/2008 9:44 AM

I guess you'll be using soap.

It will be interesting to hear the outcome, Good Luck.

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#8

Re: Layman's explanation of saybolt second universal?

09/18/2008 9:26 AM

Bring as many graphs, and charts as you can find, or make. The charts don't actually have to be directly related to the project. As long as they are colorful, and look good. If the writing is in a different language, so much the better.

If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull_hit. Good luck.

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