WearCheck has launched a quick, cost-effective viscosity test kit known as the WearCheck Rheo-stick. The Rheo-stick got its name from the word “rheology”, which is a branch of physics that deals with the study of the deformation - and specifically the flow - of matter, such as lubricating oils. The most important rheological property of a lubricant is its viscosity, or a fluid’s resistance to flow. Viscosity is a property of significance as it effects tribological qualities such as friction and wear between interacting metal surfaces. If oil is too thick, the machine is forced to work harder, thereby generating extra heat and using more energy. This results in unnecessary wear and tear on the components. If a lubricant is too thin, the film may not be thick enough to prevent friction. This also creates unnecessary wear and tear.

Now, while the Rheo-stick is an effective on-site viscosity comparator, it does not measure the physical viscosity of the oil in centistokes and cannot give an indication of the chemical composition of the oil nor identify specific contaminants nor degradation by-products.

To order a Rheo-stick kit, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or speak to your local WearCheck representative.

To view the video on how to use this tool, click here.