What Is This Tool?
This online converter transforms dynamic viscosity measurements from pound-force second per square foot, an Imperial unit, into poise, a CGS unit. It helps users bridge unit systems when analyzing fluid resistance to shear flow in engineering and scientific fields.
How to Use This Tool?
-
Enter the dynamic viscosity value in pound-force second per square foot.
-
Select the original measurement unit (pound-force second/sq. foot).
-
Select the target unit as poise [P].
-
Click the convert button to see the result in poise.
-
Use the examples as a guide to verify your conversions.
Key Features
-
Converts dynamic viscosity from pound-force second/sq. foot to poise with a precise factor.
-
Supports use cases in petroleum engineering, lubrication technology, and rheology labs.
-
Browser-based tool accessible anywhere without installation.
-
Includes example conversions for quick reference.
-
Facilitates comparison between Imperial/US customary and CGS unit systems.
Examples
-
2 pound-force second/sq. foot equals approximately 957.61 poise [P].
-
0.5 pound-force second/sq. foot converts to around 239.40 poise [P].
Common Use Cases
-
Specifying or testing viscosity of heavy oils, greases, and tars in petroleum and lubrication engineering.
-
Calculating pipe flow and pump designs that require viscosity in Imperial units.
-
Performing empirical rheology for sludges or highly viscous industrial fluids reported in customary units.
-
Characterizing lubricant viscosities and motor oils in tribology and engine design.
-
Assessing flow behavior of polymer melts and viscous industrial fluids during processing.
-
Reporting lab rheological measurements in centipoise or poise units.
Tips & Best Practices
-
Always double-check the units before converting to prevent errors.
-
Apply the conversion factor accurately without early rounding to maintain precision.
-
Use this tool to compare viscosity data consistently between different unit systems.
-
Consider the context of use when working across Imperial, CGS, and SI units.
Limitations
-
Imperial-based pound-force second/sq. foot and CGS-based poise units require careful conversion to avoid unit incompatibility.
-
Applying incorrect conversion in SI or metric unit contexts can cause errors.
-
Rounding the conversion factor prematurely may impact the accuracy of viscosity calculations.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What does pound-force second per square foot measure?
-
It measures dynamic (absolute) viscosity in the Imperial/US customary system, representing fluid resistance to shear flow as force per area with velocity gradient.
-
What is the poise unit used for?
-
The poise is a CGS unit of dynamic viscosity, widely used to describe fluid internal resistance to shear in tribology, polymer processing, and rheology.
-
Why is precise conversion important between these units?
-
Because these units stem from different measurement systems, accurate conversion avoids errors in engineering and scientific calculations involving fluid viscosity.
Key Terminology
-
Pound-force second/sq. foot
-
An Imperial unit of dynamic viscosity representing the resistance of a fluid to shear flow with a force of one pound over a square foot area per second.
-
Poise [P]
-
A CGS unit of dynamic viscosity defined as 1 g·cm⁻1·s⁻1, indicating fluid resistance to shear, equivalent to 0.1 pascal-second.
-
Dynamic Viscosity
-
A measure of a fluid's internal resistance to flow under an applied shear stress.