What term describes the decrease in lube oil viscosity?

What term describes the decrease in lube oil viscosity?

• A. Dilution
• B. Dilute
• C. Thinning
• D. Reduction

Answer: (B)

Viscosity is how thick or thin a lubricant is and how easily it flows. When the oil’s viscosity drops because it’s been mixed with lighter components or otherwise lessened in concentration, the oil is described as being diluted. Saying the oil has been diluted communicates that its flow properties have changed due to added lighter fractions, which is exactly what a decrease in viscosity results from in this context. While thinning is a natural way to describe the change in behavior, the term used here is the state of the oil after the change—dilute. Reduction is too vague for this specific naming.

Viscosity is how thick or thin a lubricant is and how easily it flows. When the oil’s viscosity drops because it’s been mixed with lighter components or otherwise lessened in concentration, the oil is described as being diluted. Saying the oil has been diluted communicates that its flow properties have changed due to added lighter fractions, which is exactly what a decrease in viscosity results from in this context. While thinning is a natural way to describe the change in behavior, the term used here is the state of the oil after the change—dilute. Reduction is too vague for this specific naming.