Overview and Resources

Viscosity in Lubrication

Table Of Contents

What is Viscosity?

Viscosity is a measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow — in simple terms, how thick or thin it feels. Water has a low viscosity and flows freely, while honey has a high viscosity and flows slowly.

In lubrication, viscosity is the most important property of an oil or grease. It determines how well the lubricant can form and maintain a protective film between moving surfaces, reducing friction and wear. Too high a viscosity can restrict flow to tight areas, while too low a viscosity may allow the oil film to collapse under load.

Why Viscosity Matters in Lubrication

In machinery, viscosity influences:

  • Film strength — the ability to keep surfaces apart under load

  • Energy efficiency — lower viscosity reduces drag, higher viscosity resists flow

  • Cold-start protection — oil must flow quickly at low temperatures

  • High-temperature stability — oil must not thin excessively in heat

For a complete breakdown of how viscosity interacts with film thickness, additives, and lubrication regimes, see our in-depth guide to viscosity in lubrication.

Measuring Viscosity

Viscosity can be measured in several ways:

  • Kinematic viscosity (cSt) at specific temperatures

  • Dynamic viscosity (cP)

  • Viscosity Index (VI), which measures viscosity stability across temperature changes

To understand how viscosity stability is measured and why it matters, explore our guide to the viscosity index.

Industry standards also classify lubricants into defined flow ranges. Learn more in our coverage of the ISO viscosity grade system (coming soon).

Factors That Affect Viscosity

Several factors can cause viscosity to change:

  • Temperature — oils thin as they warm and thicken as they cool

  • Pressure — in high-load zones, viscosity may increase slightly

  • Shear rate — in non-Newtonian fluids, viscosity changes with movement speed

  • Contamination — water, dirt, or fuel dilution can alter viscosity dramatically

Film thickness and viscosity are key factors in defining lubrication regimes, which determine how surfaces are separated in operation (coming soon).

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