The Ultimate Guide to ASTM D7042: Breakthroughs in Viscosity and Density Measurement

Viscosity is a vital quality-control parameter across a wide range of industries, especially in petroleum, where it provides essential insights into everything from crude oil to refined products.

Traditionally, viscosity has been measured using glass capillaries, following the ASTM D445 standard.¹ This gravity-based method reports only kinematic viscosity, not dynamic viscosity.

Modern measurement techniques, however, operate independently of gravity and directly measure dynamic viscosity. To allow for comparison with traditional methods, these systems also calculate kinematic viscosity by factoring in sample density, using the relationship:

ν = η / ρ

ν… kinematic viscosity 
η… dynamic viscosity 
ρ… density

In this article, Anton Paar GmbH takes a closer look at recent advancements in viscosity measurement technologies—advancements that extend well beyond simply integrating multiple measurements into a single process. The discussion also highlights why modern methods are based on fundamentally different measurement principles compared to the traditional glass capillary approach.

Using ASTM D7042 and the SVM (Smart Viscometer) as key example, the article explores how these innovations are delivering tangible benefits to both individual users and the industry as a whole.²

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Acknowledgments

Produced from material originally authored by Wolfgang Jud from Anton Paar GmbH.

References and Further Reading

1. ASTM International. (2023). Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity). (online) Available at: https://store.astm.org/d0445-21e02.html (Accessed 11 Jun. 2025).
2. ASTM International. 2021). Standard Test Method for Dynamic Viscosity and Density of Liquids by Stabinger Viscometer (and the Calculation of Kinematic Viscosity). (online) Available at: https://store.astm.org/d7042-21.html (Accessed 11 Jun. 2025).

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Anton Paar GmbH.

For more information on this source, please visit Anton Paar GmbH.