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CRANKCASE OIL VISCOSITY CLASSIFICATION—SAE J300
CRANKCASE OIL VISCOSITY CLASSIFICATION-SAE J300
SAE Recommended Practice
Report of Miscellaneous Division approved June 1911 and last revised by Fuels and Lubricants Technical Committee May 1959.
[ The original specifications for crankcase oil, first adopted as Specification No. 26 in June 1911, gave specific gravity, flash, and fire tests, and carbon residue as well as viscosities. With subsequent growth and development in petroleum refining, the standard was extended in 1923 to include specifications for ten oils, including two with low pour test, classified on the basis of their viscosity ranges. This extended specification did not prove practical, however, because of the differences in characteristics of oils refined from different base crudes and the use of marketing designations such as "light" and "medium" which did not relate to oils of similar characteristics among the different brands. Consequently, in July 1926 a new classification was adopted under which oils were grouped on the basis of viscosity ranges only and other characteristics omitted. This was modified in January 1939; and effective May 15, 1950, the SAE 60 and 70 grades in the January 1939 version of the classification were cancelled. Effective October 3, 1950, the entire classification was revised and supplemented by discontinuing the SAE 10 grade and including the SAE 5W, 10W, and 20W grades.]
The SAE viscosity numbers constitute a classification for crankcase lubricating oils in terms of viscosity only. Other factors of oil character or quality are not considered. The viscosity of oils included in this classification shall not be less than 39 sec at 210 F, Saybolt Universal. Viscosity values are given in Table 1. Viscosity numbers without the letter "W" are based on the Saybolt Universal viscosity at 210F. For example, an oil having a viscosity between 45 and 5 8 sec at 210 F is an SAE 20 oil. Viscosity numbers with the letter "W" are based on the Saybolt Universal viscosity at OF. For example, an oil having a viscosity between 12,000 and 48,000sec at OF is an SAE 20W oil. An oil having a viscosity between 45 and 58 sec at 210F and having a viscosity between 12,000 and 48,000sec at OF is an SAE 20 - - 20W oil. A multiviscosity numbered oil is one whose viscosity at 0 F falls within the prescribed viscosity range of the designated " W" numbered oil (or oils) and whose viscosity at 210 F falls within the prescribed viscosity range of the designated oil whose viscosity number does not include the letter "WM, see Table 1.
Table 1 - Viscosity Values For Crankcase Oils Viscosity Range, Saybolt Universal Seconds SAE Viscosity No.
at OF Min
at 210 F Max
Min
4,000
5W a
10W
6,000
20W 20 30 40 50
12,000
-
Max
-
less than 12,000
-
48,000
-
45 58 70 85
less than 58 less than 70 less than 85 110
Minimum viscosity at OF may be waived provided viscosity at 210 F is not below 40SUS. b Minimum viscosity at OF may be waived provided viscosity at 210 F is not below 45 SUS.
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SAE Recommended Practice
Report of Miscellaneous Division approved June 1911 and last revised by Fuels and Lubricants Technical Committee May 1959.
[ The original specifications for crankcase oil, first adopted as Specification No. 26 in June 1911, gave specific gravity, flash, and fire tests, and carbon residue as well as viscosities. With subsequent growth and development in petroleum refining, the standard was extended in 1923 to include specifications for ten oils, including two with low pour test, classified on the basis of their viscosity ranges. This extended specification did not prove practical, however, because of the differences in characteristics of oils refined from different base crudes and the use of marketing designations such as "light" and "medium" which did not relate to oils of similar characteristics among the different brands. Consequently, in July 1926 a new classification was adopted under which oils were grouped on the basis of viscosity ranges only and other characteristics omitted. This was modified in January 1939; and effective May 15, 1950, the SAE 60 and 70 grades in the January 1939 version of the classification were cancelled. Effective October 3, 1950, the entire classification was revised and supplemented by discontinuing the SAE 10 grade and including the SAE 5W, 10W, and 20W grades.]
The SAE viscosity numbers constitute a classification for crankcase lubricating oils in terms of viscosity only. Other factors of oil character or quality are not considered. The viscosity of oils included in this classification shall not be less than 39 sec at 210 F, Saybolt Universal. Viscosity values are given in Table 1. Viscosity numbers without the letter "W" are based on the Saybolt Universal viscosity at 210F. For example, an oil having a viscosity between 45 and 5 8 sec at 210 F is an SAE 20 oil. Viscosity numbers with the letter "W" are based on the Saybolt Universal viscosity at OF. For example, an oil having a viscosity between 12,000 and 48,000sec at OF is an SAE 20W oil. An oil having a viscosity between 45 and 58 sec at 210F and having a viscosity between 12,000 and 48,000sec at OF is an SAE 20 - - 20W oil. A multiviscosity numbered oil is one whose viscosity at 0 F falls within the prescribed viscosity range of the designated " W" numbered oil (or oils) and whose viscosity at 210 F falls within the prescribed viscosity range of the designated oil whose viscosity number does not include the letter "WM, see Table 1.
Table 1 - Viscosity Values For Crankcase Oils Viscosity Range, Saybolt Universal Seconds SAE Viscosity No.
at OF Min
at 210 F Max
Min
4,000
5W a
10W
6,000
20W 20 30 40 50
12,000
-
Max
-
less than 12,000
-
48,000
-
45 58 70 85
less than 58 less than 70 less than 85 110
Minimum viscosity at OF may be waived provided viscosity at 210 F is not below 40SUS. b Minimum viscosity at OF may be waived provided viscosity at 210 F is not below 45 SUS.
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