matalaviskostiset

Matalaviskostiset, in Finnish, refer to substances with low viscosity, meaning they flow readily and offer little internal resistance to deformation under applied stress. The term is commonly used in chemistry, process engineering and materials science to distinguish these liquids from more viscous, thick substances. The concept is defined by dynamic viscosity (measured in Pa·s) and, for liquids, is often discussed alongside kinematic viscosity (mm²/s). In practice, many low-viscosity liquids at room temperature have dynamic viscosities at or below about 1 mPa·s, with water around 1.0 mPa·s and lighter solvents such as acetone or hexane having lower values.

Etymology and usage: matala means low and viskositeetti means viscosity, forming a pluralized compound that describes a class of fluids. The term highlights flow behavior, handling, and transport properties that differ from higher-viscosity materials such as oils, syrups, or gels. In industrial contexts, mitalaviskostiset are favored when rapid spreading, easy pumping, or low resistance to flow is required.

Properties and measurement: viscosity is temperature dependent; as temperature increases, viscosity typically decreases. Many low-viscosity liquids are Newtonian, meaning their viscosity remains constant regardless of shear rate, though exceptions exist. Measurement methods include capillary viscometry and rotational viscometry, which determine dynamic or kinematic viscosity.

Applications and examples: low-viscosity substances are common in paints and coatings, solvents, cleaning agents, lubricants, and polymer processing where easy flow is essential. Examples include water, ethanol, acetone, and light hydrocarbon solvents.

Safety and environment: due to high mobility, spills can spread quickly; many such liquids are flammable or volatile, requiring careful handling and proper containment.

See also: viscosity, Newtonian fluid, rheology, viscometry.