SwRI: Viscometric Properties Test, SAE J300, International Lubricant Testing, ACEA Lubricant Test

	SwRI offers the viscometric properties laboratory evaluation, which checks the characteristics of formulated engine oils.

Viscometric properties laboratory evaluation SAE J300 is offered by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to check the characteristics of formulated engine oils.

When formulating new engine oils or when there are significant changes in base oils or additives, the SAE J300 stable pour-point test method is used because it follows the previously established Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) guidelines of -35°C max. for SAE 5W oils and -30°C max. for SAE 10W oils.

ACEA 2008 Specifications

The viscometric properties evaluation is part of ACEA 2008 specifications:
 

SAE J300 Test Parameters

A specified set of limits is used by engine manufacturers to determine the engine oil viscosity grades to be used in their engines and by oil marketers to formulate, manufacture, and label products. Only products that are within the relevant specifications may be distributed.

After preliminary warming, the oil sample is subjected to a controlled temperature/time cycle for 5-1/2 to 7 days. The cycle was originally established to reproduce pour instability or reversion that occurred during storage of oils in moderately cold cyclic ambient conditions. More recent work has shown relevance to engine oil pumpability failure. Oils exhibiting pour reversion are essentially "solid," resulting from wax gel formation at temperatures significantly above their ASTM D 97 pour points.

Pass/Fail Criteria

No restriction except as defined by requirements of the shear stability and high-temperature/high-shear rate tests. Manufacturers may indicate specific viscosity requirements related to ambient temperatures.

*Association des Constructeurs Européens d'Automobiles/European Automobile Manufacturers Association.

For more information about viscometric properties evaluation (SAE J300) capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Becky Grinfield at bgrinfield@swri.org or (210) 522-3652.