Viscosity testing for oils and lubricant additives

To ensure that paints and coatings are easy to apply and durable in their nature, oils and additives are required. To know that the addition of these components doesn’t adversely affect the composition of your final paint or coating, you need thorough and efficient viscosity testing.

Oils and lubricant additives in paint

The addition of oils and lubricants to paints and coatings is key in eliminating issues such as cracking and peeling. They can also increase a coating’s resistance to scratching. The kind of lubricants added to paints vary, but can include substances such as metallic stearates fluoropolymers, polyethylene waxes, silicones, esters and amide of fatty acid. The addition of oils and lubricants will, naturally, affect the viscosity of the paint or coating.

Viscosity testing oils and lubricant additives

Viscosity testing is a reliable way of assessing the flow of a liquid, gel or putty. It’s also very useful for paints, coatings and their components, such as oil and lubricant additives. Testing the viscosity of paint can help with everything from determining how susceptible it will be to flow or deformation over time, to how quickly it will dry.

How does viscosity testing work? By moving two fluid layers against one another, it’s possible to create a friction or resistance, which can then be measured to calculate the sample’s viscosity. The formula for working out a sample’s viscosity is viscosity = shear stress / shear rate. Find out more in our guide to viscosity testing. You can also find all the data you need to make sure your sample meets industry standards, with the help of our viscosity conversion chart.

Industry standards for viscosity testing

When you’re planning to test the viscosity of liquids such as oils, lubricants, paints and coatings, you’ll want to know that you’re able to meet those all-important industry standards. Here at Industrial Physics, we offer a wide range of solutions that are compliant with the most commonly accepted standards, such as ASTM D4287, BS 3900-A7 and ISO 2884.

Whether you need viscosity cups, a viscosity calculator or a multifunctional solution such as the Ray-Ran – MFR300 Microprocessor Melt Flow System, we’ve got you covered.

Thorough inks and coating testing solutions

When you need trustworthy advice on your viscosity testing, or any other part of your test and measurement process for inks and coatings, we’re here to help. Our wealth of experience means we can listen to exactly what you need and recommend on the best testing method or equipment for the job. Check out our viscosity testing solutions or our full range of inks and coatings inspection solutions today.