Both SAE J300 and J306 require measurement of kinematic viscosity at 100 °C to classify lubricants. In 2021 and 2025, respectively, both standards officially recognised ASTM D7042 as an approved method for this purpose, alongside the traditional ASTM D445. While ASTM D445 relies on glass capillary viscometers and bath-based temperature control, ASTM D7042 employs a rotational technique that measures dynamic viscosity and calculates kinematic viscosity using simultaneously measured density.
Instruments adhering to this method, such as Anton Paar’s SVM, deliver several operational benefits for laboratories under pressure to improve throughput and reduce running costs: • Extended measurement range: From 0.2 mm²/s to 30,000 mm²/s in a single cell, with no need to switch capillaries for different grades
• Lower sample and solvent usage: Require as little as 1.5 mL of sample and 80 % less solvent, cutting waste and cost
• Reduced energy demand: With Peltier-based temperature control, energy consumption can be lowered by up to 95 %
• Improved safety and maintenance: Eliminate hazardous baths and fragile capillaries
• Multiparameter output: Provide dynamic and kinematic viscosity, density, viscosity index (VI), and more parameters in a single test run
• Advanced sample characterisation: Enable analysis of viscosity and density behavior over time, as well as temperature via scanning methods
The result is not just a compliance-ready test – it’s smarter, more comprehensive analysis with less effort. In labs already operating under resource constraints, this translates into measurable gains in cost efficiency, staff productivity, and data quality.
Low-temperature testing for gear oils: ASTM D2983 (SAE J306 Only)
SAE J306 includes a specific requirement for low-temperature testing of W-grade gear oils, using ASTM D2983 to measure absolute viscosity under sub-zero conditions. This is critical for evaluating cold-weather flowability and ensuring drivetrain lubrication on vehicle startup.
ASTM D2983 defines four procedural variants (A to D). While Procedures A to C remain widely used, they involve complex workflows, which include: • Manual sample preconditioning in external baths/ ovens
• Use of hazardous cooling liquids • Tight coordination of timing and manual transfer • Longer preparation windows Procedure D was introduced to simplify this process through greater automation and safety. It uses an integrated system that performs the entire heating, cooling, and measurement sequence without operator intervention or hazardous fluids.
Anton Paar’s ViscoQC, combined with the PTD 175 Peltier device, delivers practical and compliant implementation of the procedure.
The benefits include less operational risk, more repeatable results, and streamlined compliance with SAE J306: • An automated single-instrument workflow with no manual sample transfer
• Elimination of cooling liquids, reducing operator risk and waste handling
• Energy-efficient operation with a smaller environmental footprint
• Improved reproducibility, as there’s no need for manual intervention during the measurement process
Real-world efficiency gains
Laboratories that transition to ASTM D7042 and D2983 Procedure D report measurable return on investment ROI in months, with concrete impacts on staffing, budgets, and long-term operational planning. Advantages include: • Lower consumables costs due to minimal sample and solvent use
• Improved lab safety, especially in cold-temperature testing workflows
• Greater data consistency and traceability, aiding audits and certification processes
• Increased throughput, especially when integrated with automated sample changers and multi-temperature workflows
46 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.189 OCTOBER 2025
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