A New Benchmark in Viscosity Measurement Technology

To meet today’s demands for efficiency, accuracy, and environmental performance, the petroleum industry is increasingly adopting ASTM D7042 as a reference method for viscosity testing. An alternative to the traditional ASTM D445 glass capillary method – which implies large sample volumes, and long equilibration and analysis times – ASTM D7042 significantly reduces sample and solvent volumes (by up to a factor of 10) and achieves faster temperature equilibration through thermoelectric control.

Based on the SVM principle, the method simultaneously measures dynamic viscosity and density, and calculates kinematic viscosity – providing multiparametric data from a single measurement without the limitations of gravity-based methods.

Anton Paar’s SVM series viscometers are fully compliant with ASTM D7042. The portfolio covers the entire relevant viscosity and temperature range for petroleum applications using a single measuring cell – from -60 °C (for jet fuel and aviation lubricants) to +135 °C (for waxes). According to ASTM-conducted inter-laboratory studies, the SVM viscometers deliver results with equal or higher precision and accuracy than D445. Integrated bias correction formulas deliver D445-equivalent results automatically to ensure consistency between methods.

The versatility of the SVM series is further underscored by the acceptance of ASTM D7042 in major specifications, including ASTM D975 and EN 590 (distillate fuels), SAE J300 and J306 (lubricants and gear oils), and ASTM D1655 and D7566 (aviation turbine fuels). The SVM series also measures density in full compliance with ASTM D4052, further expanding its utility across petroleum testing workflows.

Reduced maintenance is another advantage of using an SVM viscometer. With factory calibration and a single measuring cell, the instrument eliminates the need for recalibrating the multiple capillaries and timing devices required by D445.

By combining analytical precision, operational efficiency, and broad applicability, ASTM D7042 – together with the Anton Paar SVM series – sets a new standard for viscosity testing, aligning laboratory practices with modern expectations for consistency and confidence in results.