Low Shear, Low Temperature Properties of Engine Oils - Techniques With the Brookfield Viscometer

The authors' present low-shear, low-temperature studies on engine oils obtained by a new technique utilizing a SIVERSO programmable cold-bath in conjunction with the Brookfield LVT viscometer. The Brookfield/SIVERSO technique seems to respond sensitively to the yield stress of gelled engine oils. The relatively simple technique predicts the Borderline Pumpability Temperature of both air-binding and flow-limited engine oils with reasonably good correlation. Lastly, a preliminary examination of the agreement of the new technique with the conventional, air-bath Brookfield technique is shown. The correlation is very good and suggests that the Brookfield/SIVERSO technique may have wider automotive applications.