Specific Gravity And Viscosity Of Liquids

Specific gravity is the heaviness of a substance compared to that of water, and it is expressed without units. In the metric system specific gravity is the same as in the English system. If something is 7.85 times as heavy as an equal volume of water (such as iron is) its specific gravity is 7.85. Its density is 7.85 grams per cubic centimeter, or 7.85 kilograms per liter, or 7.85 metric tons per cubic meter. In relationship to liquids, the term specific gravity is used to describe the weight or density of a liquid compared to an equal volume of fresh water at 4°C (39° F). If the liquid you are comparing will float on this water it has a specific gravity of less than one (1). If it sinks into the fresh water the specific gravity is more than one. As you have already guessed fresh water at 4°C (39° F) has been assigned a value of one (1).

It is important that you do not confuse specific gravity with viscosity which is a measurement of a fluids resistance to pouring, though there is often what is perceived to be an obvious relationship. Thick liquids are said to have a high viscosity and thin liquids a low viscosity. Like specific gravity, viscosity can be altered by a change in temperature, but unlike specific gravity it can also be altered by agitation. The really important thing to keep in mind is that there is no correlation between viscosity and specific gravity. We measure specific gravity with a hydrometer. It consist of a glass cylinder with a rubber bulb on top, and a float positioned inside the glass tube. The float is calibrated to float on fresh water so if the fluid you are testing has a higher specific gravity, the float will raise in the liquid and at a lower specific gravity it will sink lower in the liquid. This is the same instrument that we use to tell if your automobile battery is fully charged. Another version will determine the concentration of anti-freeze in an automobile radiator. You can observe the little balls floating in the tube.

In our table below, we have given various liquids' characteristics with the temperature modified to one of more of a real world value. As a rule of thumb, multiply the specific gravity of a liquid by 8.34 to find the weight of a gallon of that liquid.

Specific Gravity and Viscosity of Liquids
Liquid Boiling
point
at
atm
press		 Specific gravity Viscosity
Temp Based
on water
= 1 at 60ºF		 Temp centistokes SSU
ºF ºC ºF ºC
Automatic
crankcase oils SAE 10W

SAE 10W

SAE 20W

SAE 20

SAE 30

SAE 40

SAE 50

   60 15.6 .88-.94 0 -17.8 1295-max 6M-max
  60 15.6 .88-.94 0 -17.8 1295-2590 6M-12M
  60 15.6 .88-.94 0 -17.8 2590-10350 12M-48M
  60 15.6 .88-.94 210 98.9 5.7-9.6 45-58
  60 15.6 .88-.94 210 98.9 9.6-12.9 58-70
  60 15.6 .88-.94 210 98.9 12.9-16.8 70-85
  60 15.6 .88-.94 210 98.9 16.8-22.7 85-110
Automotive
gear oils SAE 75W

SAE 80W

SAE 85W

SAE 90W

SAE 140

SAE150

   60 15.6 .88-.94 210 98.9 4.2 min 40 min
  60 15.6 .88-.94 210 98.9 7.0 min 49 min
  60 15.6 .88-.94 210 98.9 11.0 min 63 min
  60 15.6 .88-.94 210 98.9 14-25 74-120
  60 15.6 .88-.94 210 98.9 25-43 120-200
  60 15.6 .88-.94 210 98.9 43 min 200 min
Beer   60 15.6 1.01 68 20 1.8 32(est)
Benzene (Benzol) C6H6   60 0
15.6		 0.899
0.885		 32
66		 0
20		 1.00
0.744		 31
Bone oil   60 15.6 0.918 130
212		 54.4
100		 47.5
11.6		 220
65
Boric acid, sat. H3BO3   46.4
59		 8
15		 1.014
1.025		        
Brine see sodium choride and clacium chloride                
Bromine   68
32		 20
0		 2.9 68 20. 0.34  
Butane-n   60 15.6 0.584 -50
30		 -1.1 0.52
0.35		  
Butyric acid n   60 20 0.959 68
32		 20
0		 1.61
2.3cp		 31.6
Calcium chloride 5%

25%

   60 18.3 1.040 65 18.3 1.156  
  60 15.6 1.23 60 15.6 4.0 39
Carbolic acid (phenol)   60 18.3 1.08 65
194		 18.3
90		 11.83
1.26cp		 65
Carbon tetrachoride CCl4 170ºF
76.7ºC		 68 20 1.594 68
100		 20
37.8		 0.612
0.53		  
Carbon disulphide CS2 115ºF
46.2ºC		 32
68		 0
20		 1.293
1.263		 32
68		 0
20		 0.33
0.298		  
Castor oil   68
104		 20
40		 0.96
0.95		 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 259-325
98-130		 1200-1500
450-600
China wood oil   60 15.6 0.943 69
100		 20.6
37.8		 308.5
125.5		 1425
580
Chloroform 142ºF
61.2ºC		 68
140		 20
60		 1.489
1.413		 68
140		 20
60		 0.38
0.35		  
Cocoanut oil   60 15.6 0.925 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 29.8-31.6
14.7-15.7		 140-148
76-80
Cod oil   60 15.6 0.928 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 32.1
19.4		 150
95
Corn oil   60 15.6 0.924 130
212		 54.4
100		 28.7
8.6		 135
54
Corn starch solutions 22 Baume

24 Baume

25 Baume

   60 15.6 1.18 70
100		 21.1
37.8		 32.1
27.5		 150
130
  60 15.6 1.20 70
100		 21.1
37.8		 129.8
95.2		 600
440
  60 15.6 1.21 70
100		 21.1
37.8		 303
173.2		 1400
800
Cotton seed oil   60 15.6 .88-.93 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 37.9
20.6		 176
100
Creosote   60 15.6 1.04-1.10 60
130		 15.6
54.4		    
Crude oil 48º. API

40º API

35.6 API

32.6 API

Salt Creek

   60
130		 15.6
54.4		 0.79
0.76		 60
130		 15.6
54.4		 3.8
1.6		 39
31.8
  60
130		 15.6
54.4		 0.825
0.805		 60
130		 15.6
54.4		 9.7
3.5		 55.7
38
  60
130		 15.6
154		 0.847
0.824		 60
130		 15.6
54.4		 17.8
4.9		 88.4
42.3
  60
130		 15.6
154		 0.862
0.84		 60
130		 15.6
54.4		 23.2
7.1		 110
46.8
  60
130		 15.6
54.4		 0.843
0.82		 60
130		 15.6
54.4		 77
6.1		 45.6
Decane-n 343ºF
173ºC		 60 20 0.73 0
100		 17.8
37.8		 2.36
1.001		 34
31
Diethylene glycol   60 15.6 1.12 70 21.1 32 149.7
Diethyl ether 94.4ºF 68 20 0.714 68 20 0.32  
Diesel fuel oils 20

30

40

60

   60 15.6 .82-1.08 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 2-6
1.-3.97		 32.6-45.5
-39
  60 15.6 .82-1.08 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 6-11.75
3.97-6.78		 45.5-65
39-48
  60 15.6 .82-1.08 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 29.8 max
13.1 max		 140 max
70 max
  60 15.6 .82-1.08 122
160		 50
71.1		 86.6 max
35.2 max		 400 max
165 max

theocetate
COOC2H3

Dowtherm

 171ºF
77.2ºC
494.3º		 15
20
25ºC		 15
20
25ºC		 0.907
0.90
1.056		 59
68
77		 15
20
25		 0.4
0.49
  
Ethyl bromide
C2H5Br		 101ºF
77.2ºC		 59 15 1.45 68 20 0.27  
Ethylene bromide 269ºF
131.7ºC		 68 20 2.18 68 20 0.787  
Ethylene choride 183ºF
837ºC		 68 20 1.246 68 20 0.668  
Ethylene glycol   60 15.6 1.125 70 21.1 17.8 88.4
Formic acid
10%

50%

80%

Conc.

   68 20 1.025 68 20 1.04 31
  68 20 1.121 68 20 1.2 31.5
  68 20 1.186 68 20 1.4 31.7
  60 15.6 1.221 68
77		 20
25		 1.48
1.57cp		 31.7
Freon
-11

-12

-21

   70 21.1 1.49 70 21.1 0.21  
  70 21.1 1.33 70 21.1 0.27  
  70 21.1 1.37 70 21.1 1.45 31.7
Furfurol 161.7ºC 68 20 1.159 68
77		 20
25		 1.45
1.49cp		 31.7
Fuel oils
1

2

3

5A

5B

6

   60 15.6 .82-1.08 70
100		 21.1
37.8		 2.39-4.28
-2.69		 34-40
32-35
  60 15.6 .82-1.08 70
100		 21.1
37.8		 3.0-7.4
2.11-4.28		 36-50
33-40
  60 15.6 .82-1.08 70
100		 21.1
37.8		 2.69-5.84
2.06-3.97		 35-45
32.8-39
  60 15.6 .82-1.08 70
100		 21.1
37.8		 7.4-26.4
4.91-13.7		 50-125
42-72
  60 15.6 .82-1.08 70
100		 21.1
37.8		 26.4-
13.6-67.1		 125-
72-310
  60 15.6 .82-1.08 122
160		 50
71.1		 97.4-660
37.5-172		 450-3M
175-780
Gas oils   60 15.6 0.89 70
100		 21.1
37.8		 13.9
7.4		 73
50
Gasolines
a

b

c

   60 15.6 0.74 60
100		 15.6
37.8		 0.88
0.71		  
  60 15.6 0.72 60
100		 15.6
37.8		 0.64
  
  60 15.6 0.68
 60
100		 15.6
37.8		 0.46
0.40		  
Glycerine
100%		 554ºF
 68
 20
 1.260
 68.6
100		 20.3
37.8		 648
176		 2950
813
50% water   68
 20
 1.13
 68
140		 20
60		 5.29
1.85cp		 43
Glucose   60
 15.6
 1.35-1.44
 100
150		 37.8
65.6		 7.7M-22M
880-2420		 35M-100M
4M-11M
Heptane-n 209.2ºF
98.4ºC		 60 15.6 0.688 0
100		 -17.8
37.8		 0.928
0.511		  
Hexane-n 155.7ºF
68.7ºC		 60 15.6 0.664 0
100		 -17.8
37.8		 0.683
0.401		  
Honey         100 37.8 73.6 349
Industrial lubricants Turbine oils
685 SSU at 100ºF

420 SSU

315 SSU

215 SSU

150 SSU

         60
200		 15.6
93.3		 647
14.5		 3000
77
        60
200		 15.6
93.3		 367
11		 1700
63
        60
200		 15.6
93.3		 259
8		 1200
52
        60
200		 15.6
93.3		 151
7.3		 700
48
        60
200		 15.6
93.3		 99
6		 460
45.5
Machine lubricants
#8

#10

#20

#30

       .88-.94 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 23-34
13-18		 112-160
70-90
      .88-.94 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 34-72
18-25		 160-235
90-120
      .88-.94 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 72-83
25-39		 235-385
120-185
      .88-.94 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 75-119
39-55		 350-550
185-255
Cutting oils
#1

#2

         100
130		 37.8
54.4		 30-40
17-23		 140-190
86-110
        100
130		 37.8
54.4		 40-46
23-26		 190-220
110-125
Ink, printers   60 15.6 1.0-1.4 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 550-2200
238-660		 2500-10M
1100-3M
Insulating oil         70
100		 21.1
37.8		 24.1 max
11.75 max		 115 max
65 max
Kerosene   60 15.6 .78-.82 68 20 2.71 35
Jet Fuel (av) 325ºF 60 15.6 .62-.88 -30. -34.4 7.9 52
Lard   60 15.6 0.96 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 62.1
34.3		 287
160
Lard oil   60 15.6 .91-.93 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 41-47.5
23.4-27.1		 190-220
112-128
Linseed oil   60 15.6 .92-.94 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 30.5
18.94		 143
93
Mercury 675.1ºF
356.9ºC		 60 15.6 13.57 70
100		 21.1
37.8		 0.118
0.11		  
Methyl acetate 135ºF
57.2ºC		 68 20 0.93 68
104		 20
40		 0.44
0.32cp		  
Methyl iodide 108ºF
42.6ºC		 68 20 2.28 68
104		 20
40		 0.213
0.42cp		  
Menhadden oil   60 15.6 0.93 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 29.8
18.2		 140
90
Milk   60 15.6 1.02-1.05 68 20 1.13 31.5
Molasses
A, first

B, second

C, blackstrap

   60 15.6 1.40-1.46 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 281-5070
151-1760		 1300-23500
700-8160
  60 15.6 1.43-1.48 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 1410-13.2M
660-3.3M		 6535-61180
3058-15294
  60 15.6 1.46-1.49 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 2630-55M
1320-16.5M		 12190-255M
6120-76.5M
Naphthalene 424ºF
218ºC		 68 20 1.145 176
212		 80
100		 0.9
0.78cp		  
Neatstool oil   60 15.6 0.917 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 49.7
27.5		 230
130
Nitrobenzene 412ºF
210.9ºC		 68
59		 20
15		 1.203
1.205		 68 20 1.67 31.8
Nonane-n 302ºF
150.7ºC		 60
68		 15.6
20		 0.7218
0.718		 0
100		 -17.8
37.8		 1.728
0.807		 32
Octane-n 258ºF
125.6ºC		 60 15.6 0.7069 0
100		 -17.8
37.8		 1.266
0.645		 31.7
Olive oil 570ºF
300ºC		 60 15.6 .91-.92 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 43.2
24.1		 200
Palms oil   60 15.6 0.924 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 47.8
26.4		  
Peanut oil   60 15.6 0.92 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 42
23.4		 200
Pentane-n   60 0
15.6		 0.650
0.631		 0
80		 17.8
26.7		 0.508
0.342		  
Petrolatum   60 15.6 0.83 130
160		 54.4
71.1		 20.5
15		 100
77
Petroleum ether   60 15.6 0.64 60 15.6 31(est) 1.1
Propionic acid   68 20 0.99 32
68		 0
20		 1.52cp
1.13		 31.5
Propylene glycol   68 20 1.038 70 21.1 52 241
Quenching oil
(typical)		   60 15.6 .86-.89     100-120 20.5-25
Rapeseed oil   68 20 0.92 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 54.1
31		 250
145
Rosin oil   60 15.6 0.98 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 324.7
129.9		 1500
600
Rosin (wood)   60 15.6 1.09 avg 100
200		 37.8
93.3		 216-11M
108-4400		 1M-50M
500-20M
Sesame seed oil   60 15.6 0.923 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 39.6
23		 184
110
Sodium chloride
5%

25%		   39 3.9 1.037 68 20 1.097 31.1
  39
60		 3.9
15.6		 1.196
1.19		 60 15.6 2.4 34
Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda)
20%

30%

40%

   60 15.6 1.22 65 18.3 4.0 39.4
  60 15.6 1.33 65 18.3 10.0 58.1
  60 15.6 1.43 65 18.3   110.1
Soya bean oil   60 15.6 .924-.928 100
130		 37.8
5.4		 35.4
19.64		 165
96
Sperm oil   60 15.6 1.35-1.44 100
130		 37.5
54.4		 21-23
15.2		 110
78
Sugar solutions
Corn syrup
86.4 Brix

84.4 Brix

82.3 Brix

80.3 Brix

78.4 Brix

   60 15.6 1.459 100
180		 37.8
82.2		 180Mcp
1750cp		  
  60 15.6 1.445 100
180		 37.8
82.2		 48Mcp
800cp		  
  60 15.6 1.431 100
180		 37.8
82.2		 17Mcp
380cp		  
  60 15.6 1.418 100
180		 37.8
82.2		 6900cp
230cp		  
  60 15.6 1.405 100
180		 37.8
82.2		 3200cp
160cp		  
Sugar solutions
Sucrose 60 Brix

64 Brix

68 Brix

72 Brix

74 Brix

76 Brix

   60 15.6 1.29 70
100		 37.8
82.2		 49.7
18.7		 230
92
  60 15.6 1.31 70
100		 21.1
37.8		 95.2
31.6		 440
148
  60 15.6 1.338 70
100		 21.1
37.8		 216.4
59.5		 1000
275
  60 15.6 1.36 70
100		 21.1
37.8		 595
138.6		 2700
640
  60 15.6 1.376 70
100		 21.1
37.8		 1210
238		 5500
1100
  60 15.6 1.39 70
100		 21.1
37.8		 2200
440		 10000
2000
Sulphuric acid
100%

444.6ºC

 68 20 1.839 68
140		 20
60		 14.56
7.2cp		 76
95%   68 20 1.839 68 20 14.5 75
60%   68 20 1.50 68 20 4.4 41
20%
   68 20 1.14       3M-8M
650-1400
Tar, coke oven
   60 15.6 1.12+ 70
100		 21.1
37.8		 600-1760
141-308		 15M-300M
2M-20M
Tar, gas house
   60 15.6 1.16-1.30 70
100		 21.1
37.8		 3300-66M
440-4400		 2500
500
Tar, pine
   60 15.6 1.06+ 100
132		 37.8
55.6		 559
108.2		 200-300
55-60
Tar, road-RT-2

RT-4

RT-6

RT-8

RT-10

RT-12

   60 15.6 1.07+ 122
212		 50
100		 43.2-64.9
8.8-10.2		 400-700
65-70
  60 15.6 1.08+ 122
212		 50
100		 86.6-154
11.6-14.3		 1M-2M
85-125
  60 15.6 1.09+ 122
212		 50
100		 216-440
16.8-26.2		 3M-8M
150-225
  60 15.6 1.13+ 122
212		 50
100		 660-1760
31.8-48.3		 20M-60M
250-400
  60 156 1.14+ 122
212		 50
100		 4.4M-13.2M
53.7-86.6		 114M-458M
500-800
  60 15.6 1.15+ 122
212		 50
100		 25M-75M
108-173		  
Toluene

231ºF
110.6ºC

 68 20 0.866 68
140		 20
60		 0.68
0.38cp		 185.7
Triethylene glycol
   68 20 1.125 70 21.1 40 400-440
185-205
Turpentine

320ºF

 60 15.6 .86-.87 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 86.5-95.2
39.9-44.3		 1425
650
Varnish, spar
   60 15.6 0.9 68
100		 20
37.8		 313
143		  
Water, distilled   60 15.6 1.00 68 20 1.0038 31
Water, fresh
   60 15.6 1.0 60
130		 15.6
54.4		 1.13
0.55		 31.5
Water, sea   60 15.6 1.03     1.15 31.5
Whale oil
   60 15.6 0.925 100
130		 37.8
54.4		 35-39.6
19.9-23.4		 163-184
97-112
Xylene-o
 287ºF
142.7ºC		 68 20 0.87 68
104		 20
40		 0.93
0.623cp		  
Version 1.0.1


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