An absolute vibrating-wire viscometer for liquids at high pressures

The design and operation of a new vibrating-wire viscometer for the measurement of the viscosity of liquids at pressures up to 100 MPa are described. The design of the instrument is based on a complete theory so that it is possible to make absolute measurements with an associated error of only a few parts in one thousand. Absolute measurements of the viscosity of n-hexane are reported at 298.15 K at pressures up to 80 MPa. The overall uncertainty in the reported viscosity data is estimated to be ±0.5%, an estimate confirmed by the comparison of values of viscosity of slightly inferior accuracy.