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Viscosity Standards for Zahn, Shell, and Ford Cups

Equations for conversion of kinematic viscosity or viscosity into other viscometric units are given here. All data must be at 25°C. Note that the equations apply only between the minimum and maximum drain times shown. While the equations in the table below are widely used, the equation v = at – b/t is often more […]

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Equations for conversion of kinematic viscosity or viscosity into
other viscometric units are given here. All data must be at 25°C. Note
that the equations apply only between the minimum and maximum drain
times shown.

While the equations in the table below are widely used, the
equation v = at – b/t is often more applicable, especially at low flow
times and low kinematic viscosity.


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Viscosity Standards for Zahn, Shell, and Ford Cups

Viscosity Standard
Kin Vis mm2/s (cSt/s)
Zahn Cup
Shell Cup
Ford Cup
Size
Drain time, sec
Size
Drain time, sec
Size
Drain time, sec

C6
9727-W10

8.9
1
52

C10
9727-W12

17
1
45
2
35
1
70

C20
9727-W15

34
1
60
2
64
2
42
40

C35
9727-W20

66
2
33
74
2
64
3
46
3
35
32

C60
9727-W25

120
2
48
57
3
58
4
36
4
36

C100
9727-W30

230
3
27
4
68
4
64
4
21
5
36

C200
9727-W35

460
3
47
5
72
5
40
4
36
6
29

C350
9727-W40

850
4
62
6
53
5
70
5
37

C600
9727-W45

1600
5
70

Ranges of Viscosity Cups

Cup Number
Equations* where
t = Time of flow, seconds
v = kinematic viscosity, mm2/s
Drain time seconds
Kinematic viscosity centistokes
min
max
min
max
Zahn Cups (See ASTM D 4212)
1
v = 1.1 (t – 29)
35
80
5
60
2
v = 3.5 (t – 14)
20
80
20
250
3
v = 11.7 (t – 7.5)
20
80
100
800
4
v = 14.8 (t – 5)
20
80
200
1200
5
v = 23t
20
80
400
1800
Shell Cups (See ASTM D 4212)
1
v = 0.226 (t – 13)
20
80
2
20
2
v = 0.576 (t – 5)
20
80
10
50
v = 0.925 (t – 3)
20
80
20
80
3
v = 1.51 (t – 2)
20
80
30
120
v = 2.17 (t – 1.5)
20
80
40
170
4
v = 3.45 (t – 1)
20
80
70
270
5
v = 6.5 (t – 1)
20
80
125
520
6
v= 16.2 (t – 0.5)
20
80
320
1300
Ford Cups (See ASTM D 1200)
1
v = 0.49 (t – 35.0)
55
100
10
35
2
v = 1.44 (t – 18.0)
40
100
25
120
3
v = 2.31 (t – 6.58)
20
100
49
220
4
v = 3.85 (t – 4.49)
20
100
70
370
5
v = 12.1 (t – 2.00)
20
100
200
1200

* While the equations in this table are widely used, the equation v = at – b/t is often more applicable, especially at low flow times and low kinematic viscosity.