A Routine High-Pressure Viscometer for Accurate Measurements to 1 GPa

Abstract

Of the fields for which the piezoviscous property of liquids is of interest, elastohydrodynamics is unique in deriving its existence from this property. Even recent publications in the field, however, have based the description of the pressure variation of viscosity on myths rather than empirical data. The author offers a description of the construction and operation of an easy-to-use viscometer capable of accurate measurements to a pressure of 1 GPa. The classic measurements of Nobel laureate P. W. Bridgman are repeated and examples of measurements on lubricants are given.

Keywords:

• Elastohydrodynamic
• High-Pressure
• Viscometer
• Viscosity
• Traction
• Film Thickness
• Pressure-Viscosity Coefficient

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was funded by a grant from Timken Company.

Presented at the 59th STLE Annual Meeting in Toronto, Ontario, Canada May 17-20, 2004

Final manuscript approved February 21, 2004

Review led by Robert Errichello