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🔍 Overview: Convert Dynamic & Kinematic Viscosity Instantly
The Viscosity Converter helps you quickly switch between units of both dynamic viscosity (e.g., Pa·s, poise, lbf·s/ft²) and kinematic viscosity (e.g., m²/s, Stokes, ft²/s). This tool is ideal for engineers, chemists, physicists, and anyone working with fluid mechanics, lubrication, or flow modeling.
Dynamic viscosity measures internal resistance to flow (shear stress), while kinematic viscosity accounts for the fluid’s density, giving you a clearer sense of how fluids behave in motion. Both are essential in fields like automotive, chemical processing, and HVAC system design.
📐 Methodology & Conversion Formulas
We use standard SI pivot units: Pa·s for dynamic, and m²/s for kinematic viscosity.
Dynamic Viscosity Conversion:
ηPa·s = ηinput × factor_from ηoutput = ηPa·s ÷ factor_to
Kinematic Viscosity Conversion:
νm²/s = νinput × factor_from νoutput = νm²/s ÷ factor_to
Below are common units and their conversion factors relative to the SI base units:
| Unit | Symbol | Factor → Pivot | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pascal-second | Pa·s | 1 | Dynamic (SI) |
| Poise | P | 0.1 | Dynamic (CGS) |
| lb/(ft·h) | lb/(ft·h) | 4.133789×10⁻⁴ | Imperial |
| lb/(ft·s) | lb/(ft·s) | 1.488164 | Imperial |
| lbf·s/ft² | lbf·s/ft² | 47.88026 | Mechanical |
| lbf·s/in² | lbf·s/in² | 6894.76 | Mechanical |
| Square meter per second | m²/s | 1 | Kinematic (SI) |
| Square foot per second | ft²/s | 0.09290304 | Imperial |
| Stokes | St | 1×10⁻⁴ | CGS |
🧮 Example Conversions
- 0.001 Pa·s → Poise: 0.001 ÷ 0.1 = 0.01 P
- 10 lb/(ft·s) → Pa·s: 10 × 1.488164 = 14.88164 Pa·s
- 1 Stokes → m²/s: 1 × 10⁻⁴ = 0.0001 m²/s
- 2 m²/s → ft²/s: 2 ÷ 0.09290304 = 21.53 ft²/s
🔧 Use Cases & Applications
- Automotive engineering: Evaluate oil viscosity under various temperatures.
- Chemical process design: Calculate flow rates and fluid mixing parameters.
- Lubricant formulation: Compare synthetic vs natural lubricant behavior.
- Water treatment: Analyze fluid resistance in pipelines.
- Research & academia: Convert between CGS, SI, and imperial units in experiments.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between dynamic and kinematic viscosity?
Dynamic viscosity measures internal resistance to flow (shear force). Kinematic viscosity considers density and measures flow per unit area/time. Mathematically:
ν = η / ρwhere ν is kinematic, η is dynamic, and ρ is density.
When should I use kinematic vs dynamic viscosity?
Use dynamic viscosity when studying shear stress in fluids (e.g., lubricants). Use kinematic viscosity when comparing flow rates (e.g., fuel in pipelines).
What are the standard units used?
For dynamic viscosity: Pascal-second (Pa·s), poise (P), lbf·s/ft². For kinematic viscosity: m²/s, Stokes (St), ft²/s.
Is viscosity temperature dependent?
Yes, both dynamic and kinematic viscosity decrease with increasing temperature. Always measure at a known standard.
Can I convert between dynamic and kinematic viscosity?
Only if you know the fluid’s density. The conversion requires:
ν = η / ρ
Are the CGS and SI units interchangeable?
Yes, but they use different base units. 1 poise = 0.1 Pa·s. 1 Stokes = 1×10⁻⁴ m²/s.
Where are these conversion factors from?
All factors are sourced from ISO standards, NIST databases, and scientific literature for accurate, reliable conversion.