Common Industry Viscosity Classifications

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Viscosity

Viscosity is the most important

property of an oil
 Viscosity is a lubricant’s resistance
to flow
The viscosity of a lubricant is normally
given in:
 cSt (centistokes) or mm²/second
 SAE engine oils
Viscosity is the main feature which
influences the efficiency of lubrication © epc graphics

Viscosity is influenced by temperature,

water, contaminants, pressure, shear 2
 ISO Viscosity Grades (ISO VG – ISO 3448)
Industrial lubricants are usually classified according to their
ISO Viscosity Grade
This is based on their kinematic viscosity at 104ºF/40ºC ± 10%
Like many suppliers (but not all), Shell incorporates the ISO Viscosity Grade
into the product name eg Shell Omala S2 G 460

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AGMA 9005-E02 Viscosity Grades for Enclosed Gear Oils
AGMA gear oil designations will still be found on older gearboxes and in
manuals (EP = Extreme pressure, R = Residual, Comp = compounded – 3-
10% fatty acid)

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SAE Viscosity Grades for Engine Oils –
SAE J300-2009

Kinematic Viscosity @ 100ºC

High Temp High Shear @ 150 ºC

SAE 5W - 40
Cold Temperature Cranking
Cold Temperature Pumping (CCS)

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 SAE Viscosity Grades for Engine Oils – SAE J300
SAE Viscosity Low Temperature Viscosities
High Temperature Viscosities
grade cP Max
Cranking Pumping Low Shear Kinematic Viscosity High Temp High Shear Viscosity
cSt @ 100ºC cP @ 150ºC Min.
0W 6,200 @ -35ºC 60,000 cP @ -40ºC 3.8 Min

5W 6,600 @ -30ºC 60,000 cP @ -35ºC 3.8 Min

10W 7,000 @ -25ºC 60,000 cP @ -30ºC 4.1 Min

15W 7,000 @ -20ºC 60,000 cP @ -25ºC 5.6 Min

20W 9,500 @ -15ºC 60,000 cP @ -20ºC 5.6 Min

25W 13,000 @ -10ºC 60,000 cP @ -15ºC 9.3 Min

16 6.1 to <8.2 2.3

20 6.9 to < 9.3 2.6

30 9.3 to < 12.5 2.9

40 12.5 to < 16.3 2.9 (0W, 5W & 10W)

40 12.5 to < 16.3 3.7(15W, 20W & 25W, 40)

50 16.3 to < 21.9 3.7

60 21.9 to < 26.1 3.7

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SAE Viscosity Grades for Automotive Gear Oils - SAE J306
Maximum
Kinematic Viscosity Kinematic Viscosity
Temperature for
SAE Viscosity Grade cSt @ 100ºC cSt @ 100ºC
Viscosiy of 150,000
(minimum) (maximum)
cP
70W -55ºC 4.1 -
75W -40ºC 4.1 -
80W -26ºC 7.0 -
85W -12ºC 11.0 -
80 - 7.0 <11.0
85 - 11.0 <13.5
90 - 13.5 <18.5
110 - 18.5 <24.0
140 - 24.0 <32,5
190 - 32.5 <41.0
250 - 41.0 -

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Viscosity Grade Comparisons

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 NLGI Grease Consistency Grades

Grease consistency is usually classified according to the

NLGI grading system developed by the National Lubricating Grease
Institute, a US-based grease industry organization.

NLGI Consistency
Softest Grade Penetration Range* Description
000 445 - 475 Fluid
00 400 - 430 Semi-Fluid
0 355 - 385 Very Soft
1 310 - 340 Soft
2 265 - 295 Medium
3 220 - 250 Medium-Hard
4 175 - 205 Hard
5 130 - 160 Very Hard
Stiffest
6 85 - 115 Block

* ASTM D217 Grease Consitency 9

American Petroleum Institute Base Oil Definition - API 1509

Group Description Sulphur (Wt %) Saturates Viscosity Index

(Vol %)

I Conventional > 0.03 &/or <90 ≥ 80 –

(Solvent refining) < 120

II Requires Hydro- ≤ 0.03 & ≥ 90 ≥ 80 –

processing < 120

III All-Hydro- ≤ 0.03 & ≥ 90 ≥ 120

processing +
Isomerization

IV “Synthetic” Poly-Alpha-Olefins (PAO)

V All Others Other Base Oils Not Group I, II, III or IV

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