Why is viscosity so important to lubricating oils?
Viscosity, or the thickness of the oil, is important because it determines the lubricant’s film strength and efficiency in preventing friction between moving parts. Thick oil has a high viscosity, and thin oil has a low viscosity. If oil is too thick for the operating conditions, the machine must work harder, thus generating heat and using more energy. If a lubricant is too thin, the film may not be thick enough to prevent friction.
