centistokest

Centistokes is a unit of kinematic viscosity. Kinematic viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow under the influence of gravity. It is defined as the ratio of dynamic viscosity to density. The SI unit for kinematic viscosity is the square meter per second (m²/s). However, the centistoke (cSt) is a more commonly used unit in many industries.

One centistoke is equal to one centistoke (cSt). To convert centistokes to the SI unit, one centistoke is equal to 1 x 10⁻⁶ square meters per second (1 cSt = 10⁻⁶ m²/s). This means that 100 centistokes are equal to one square millimeter per second (100 cSt = 1 mm²/s). The centistoke is derived from the stoke (St), which is the cgs (centimeter-gram-second) unit of kinematic viscosity. One stoke is equal to 1 cm²/s, and one centistoke is one-hundredth of a stoke (1 cSt = 0.01 St).

Centistokes are widely used in the petroleum industry to specify the viscosity of lubricating oils, hydraulic fluids, and other petroleum products. The viscosity of a fluid can significantly impact its performance in various applications, affecting factors such as lubrication, heat transfer, and pumpability. Therefore, precise measurement and specification of kinematic viscosity in centistokes are crucial for quality control and product performance. For example, engine oils are often rated using SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) viscosity grades, which are based on kinematic viscosity measurements at specific temperatures, with values typically expressed in centistokes.