What is the difference between absolute or dynamic viscosity and kinematic viscosity?
Cambridge Viscosity sensors measure absolute viscosity, which is the true measure of viscositythe resistance of a fluid to flow. The practical unit of absolute viscosity is centipoise (cP), which is identical to the MKS unit mPa s. (The viscosity of water is approximately 1 cP.) Cup type viscometers are commonly used in industry but they respond not only to absolute viscosity but also to the fluid density. The gravitational forces acting on the fluid within the cup will be proportional to the density of the fluid. Thus a fluid with the same absolute viscosity but higher density will drain out faster and therefore appear to have a lower viscosity. Viscometers such as the cup type measure a form of kinematic viscosity, whose practical unit is cSt, but in the case of cups is measured in seconds.
