Lab 12—Revised November 19, 2009

LAB 12: VISCOSITY MEASUREMENTS

Important concepts:
- Viscosity and temperature relationship
- The importance of the viscosity vs. temperature chart in design
- How to generate the viscosity vs. temperature chart
- Viscometers: Cannon-Fenske, cone and plate, and spindle

Instrumentation:
- Cannon-Fenske viscometers, hand pump, stopwatch, large Plexiglas containers,
submersible heater, and mercury thermometer.
- Cone and plate viscometer, thermocouple calibrator, and hot plate.
- Spindle viscometer, thermocouple calibrator, and hot plate.

BEFORE THE LAB, please go to

http://www.me.gatech.edu/~me3057/Lab12/weblab12_index.html to learn how to use the
instrumentation.

Motivation:
Viscosity measurement is important in many fields. We depend on such measurements, for
example, when we select motor oil for our cars. Motor oils are sold in different grades that
reflect their viscosity, and it is important that we choose an oil whose viscosity is appropriate
for the type of driving we do and the types of temperatures we will likely encounter. We rely
on manufacturers to document the viscosity of their products accurately so that we can select
appropriate grades of oil for our cars. Owners of heavy-service vehicles may even perform
viscosity tests on used engine oil in order to determine the intervals for oil changes. In such
circumstances, accurate measurements are key to the maintenance decisions that impact
engine lifetime.

A fluid’s viscosity is determined indirectly by measuring physical phenomena that are caused
by the fluid’s viscosity. For this project, viscosity is determined by using three different
measurement methods, ranging from a low-cost, purely mechanical method to a more
expensive, computer-based method. As with all the measurement methods used in this class,
these have good points as well as limitations. The overall goal of this lab is to clarify these
good points and limitations by using all three measurement methods to characterize the
relationship between viscosity and temperature in a fluid, and to compare the measured results
to a textbook model of the viscosity-temperature relationship of the fluids that are used.

The Appendix provides a review of fluid viscosity and a brief description of the measuring
instruments used for this project.

Reflective questions:
When you read the manual and the Weblab, try to answer the following questions:
What kind of data will be obtained from each viscometer and how can those be changed to
viscosity? What would be the necessary information? When using these viscometers, what
are things that need extra attention or care? What are ranges of viscometers?

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 Lab 12—Revised November 19, 2009

What you need to know:

Viscosity is the resistance of a fluid to deformation or fluid flow. For example, at room
temperature water flows more quickly than motor oil because it has lower viscosity. Viscosity
is an intrinsic property of a fluid, but a fluid’s viscosity can vary with changes in the fluid’s
temperature. You can observe this property in your kitchen, as you may have noticed that
heated vegetable oil flows more easily and rapidly in a pan than does cold vegetable oil.

To a first approximation, the relationship between temperature and absolute viscosity,  , for
many fluids can be described with an exponential relationship:
a T 
  Ce (L12.1)
where C and a are constants and T is absolute temperature in Kelvin. Taking the natural
logarithm of both sides yields
ln(  )  ln( C )  a / T (L12.2)
The constants C and a can be experimentally determined. For each of the three methods
described below, you will first determine the viscosity over a range of temperatures from the
measurement data. Then, by plotting the logarithm of the measured viscosity ln(  ) vs. the
inverse of the temperature, 1 / T ,you will be able to determine the equation of the linear trend
line. The slope and the offset of the equation yield the values of C and a.

Cannon-Fenske Capillary Viscometer

The Cannon-Fenske viscometer works on the theory of Hagen-Poisuille flow and is the least
expensive of the three viscometers used in this lab. It requires no electrical power and needs
only a timing device to measure viscosity. The Cannon-Fenske viscometer (Figure L12.1)
consists of a U-shaped tube of glass with several bulb reservoirs. There are two marks on the
viscometer above and below the middle bulb.

C anno n F enske
V isco m eter

5 0 m l b o ttle
o f o il

p um p

Figure L12.1: The Cannon-Fenske viscometer

To measure viscosity of a fluid, a quantity of fluid is first pumped into the lower bulb of the
viscometer. A hand pump may be used to do this. The viscometer is then oriented as shown
in Figure L12.1, and the fluid is pumped up the left-hand tube until the middle bulb is full and
fluid has just started to enter the top bulb above the top mark. At this point, the pump is
disconnected, and the fluid is allowed to drain back down into the lower bulb. The kinematic

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viscosity  of the fluid is directly proportional to the efflux time t required for the meniscus of
the fluid to pass from the top mark down to the bottom mark. The time is multiplied by a
calibration constant K to obtain the kinematic viscosity in centiStokes:
  Kt (L12.3)
The constant K depends on temperature, so this must be accounted for in any calculations.
The absolute viscosity in centiPoise may be calculated by multiplying the kinematic viscosity
by the density  :
   (L12.4)

Cone and Plate Viscometer

The Cone and Plate Viscometer is an accurate device that is widely used in industry to
measure viscosity. The cone and plate viscometer measures viscosity by spinning a cone over
a flat plate, shearing the thin layer of fluid beneath the cone. The torque required to spin the
cone at a constant rate is related to the viscosity of the fluid (see Appendix). Unlike the
Cannon-Fenske viscometer, the strain rate can be actively varied, allowing the
characterization of non-Newtonian fluids (although this laboratory does not address this). The
Brookfield cone and plate viscometer (Figure L12.2) used in this laboratory is manually
operated and can not be interfaced with a computer.

p um p

B ro o kfield co ne and
p late visco m eter

ho tp late

Figure L12.2: Brookfield cone and plate viscometer

The Brookfield cone and plate viscometer has a rotating dial and a rotating indicator needle.
The speed of the rotating dial is adjusted with a knob on the side of the device. This knob can
set the speed in 8 ranges from 0.3 to 60 RPM. The knob actually only has four sides but it can
rotate through 360 degrees twice. There are two speeds indicated on the dial at each setting.
Make sure you know which speed is being used! It should be clear (i.e., the difference
between 0.3 and 6 RPM should be obvious by sight.)

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The speed should be set such that the needle settles out at a dial reading between 70 and 30.
Outside of this range, the device is nonlinear and loses accuracy. To measure viscosity, a dial
reading is taken, and the reading is multiplied by a conversion range that depends on the speed
of the viscometer; this product is then divided by 100. The ranges are listed in the appendix.

The cone and plate viscometer contains a small amount of fluid (between 1.0 and 1.5 ml).
This fluid is contained in a cup that has an integrated water jacket. For this experiment, a
pump sitting in a beaker of water on a hot plate will be used to circulate water through the
water jacket in the sample cup. A T-type thermocouple is located in the supply line going to
the sample cup to measure the temperature of the water. The hot plate will be used to heat the
water, allowing you to take viscosity measurements at different fluid temperatures. Note that
the indicator may drift outside of the linear range (70 to 30) due to temperature induced
changes in the fluid viscosity; when this happens, the cone speed must be adjusted.

Spindle Viscometer
The Spindle Viscometer measures a fluid’s viscosity by spinning a spindle immersed in a cup
filled with that fluid. As with the cone and plate viscometer, the torque required to keep the
spindle spinning at a constant velocity is related to the viscosity of the fluid. Unlike the other
two instruments, the spindle viscometer used in this experiment has a digital display and a
voltage output. This output can be acquired by a microprocessor or a data-acquisition board,
allowing rapid, automated data collection, or it can simply be connected to a multimeter,
which will display the value. Figure L12.3 shows a schematic of the experimental setup.
0 TO 10 MV OUTPUT

DISPLAY
DIGITAL VISCOMETER
0 TO 100 FULL SCALE

MICROPROCESSOR OR
DATA ACQUISITION BOARD THERMOCOUPLE
OR MULTIMETER CALIBRATOR

THERMOCOUPLE
OIL
SPINDLE

Figure L12.3: Schematic of spindle viscometer setup

An LV model spindle viscometer is used for this experiment. Its practical use is very similar
to the cone and plate viscometer. It has a digital reading between 0 and 100 and an adjustable
speed knob on the side to change the spindle speed. The viscometer outputs a voltage signal
between 0 and 10 mV, which is linearly proportional to the viscometer reading (0 to 100). To
measure viscosity, the dial reading is multiplied by a range, which is dependent on the set
spindle speed. The range values are listed in the appendix. The spindle speed must be
adjusted to keep the reading between 30 and 70.

A K-type thermocouple, suspended next to the spindle in the sample cup, is connected to a
thermocouple calibrator to read the temperature of the fluid. A hot plate will be used to heat

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the fluid, which will be taken from a freezer and placed in an ice bath when the experiment
starts.

Laboratory work:

PART I: Cannon-Fenske Capillary Viscometer

In this experiment, the viscosity of a fluid will be measured at three temperatures. One
viscometer will be suspended in an ice bath, another in ambient air, and another in a heated
water bath. The temperature of the fluid’s ambient environment will be determined using a
mercury-in-glass thermometer. The fluid’s kinematic viscosity will be determined using a
Cannon-Fenske viscometer. In order to calculate the absolute viscosity, the density of the
fluid must be known (Equation L12.4).
- Ensure that the three viscometers have been filled with fluid and are suspended in the
three different temperature environments.
- Note the density values of the fluid at different temperatures given by the TA’s.
- For each of the three temperatures (ice bath, room temperature, and heated water bath),
do the following:
A. Record the viscometer type number, calibration constants at the listed temperatures,
and the usable range.
B. Record the temperature of the environment (the ice bath, air, or the heated water
bath).
C. With another person holding the viscometer, carefully place the pump tube on the
viscometer’s big tube. BE CAREFUL. THE VISCOMETER CAN EASILY SLIDE
DOWN INTO THE WATER BATH. IF THE VISCOMETER FALLS INTO THE
BATH, THE WATER CAN CONTAMINATE THE FLUID AND THE TA’S WILL
HAVE TO PREPARE A NEW VISCOMETER FOR YOU.
D. Pump the fluid above the top line on the viscometer. DO NOT LET THE FLUID GO
MUCH BEYOND THAT BECAUSE IT COULD LEAK.
E. Remove the pump.
F. Start the stopwatch when the fluid is at the top line and stop the stopwatch when the
fluid is at the bottom line.
G. Record the efflux time.

PART II: Cone and Plate Viscometer

- Make sure that all water lines are secure. Wipe away any water that has collected on the
lab table. Make sure that all power cords are plugged in.
- Ice down the water in the beaker until the temperature reads at or below 1C. If the water
in the beaker is hot, replace it with tap water first. At this point, remove as much ice
from the beaker as possible. If you can’t get the temperature go to lower than 1C, start
the measurement at 3C instead.
- Set the viscometer speed so that the needle settles out between 30 and 70. Start at the
slowest speed, and then increase it if needed.
- Turn on the hot plate.
- Starting at 1C and at every two degrees after that (3, 5, 7…), record the dial reading and
the viscometer speed. As the sample heats up, the viscometer speed will have to be

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adjusted to keep the reading within the 30-70 range. Take data up to 49C.

PART III: Spindle Viscometer

- Make sure that the hot plate and viscometer are plugged in. Make sure the hot plate is
located below the spindle, make sure the hot place is off and make sure that the
viscometer has been adjusted to its fully up position. Make sure that there is a cold
container of fluid in the freezer.

- Turn on the thermocouple calibrator (push the switch to READ) and make sure it is set
for a K-type thermocouple.
- Fill the metal outer container with water about halfway and fill it about one third with ice.
Once the water is ice cold, remove most of the ice.
- Retrieve a cup of fluid from the freezer. Make sure that it is cold fluid, and not a recently
used cup of warm fluid.
- Put the cup of fluid into the wooden holder and suspend it in the ice-cold water bath. BE
CAREFUL! Make sure there is not too much water in the bath! Do not let water
overflow the holder and contaminate the fluid. If the fluid does become contaminated,
tell the TA. Do not dump it in the sink!
- Put the fluid/water bath on the hot plate under the spindle.
- Turn on the viscometer, put the RUN/HOLD switch on HOLD, and set the speed knob to
the slowest setting (0.3).
- Lower the viscometer until the spindle is completely submerged in the fluid.
- Adjust the ZERO knob on the viscometer until the reading is zeroed.
- Turn on the hot plate and set the hot plate to its highest temperature setting.
- Switch the RUN/HOLD switch to RUN.
- Adjust the speed knob until the viscometer steadily reads between 60-70. Over time the
temperature should increase and the viscometer reading should decrease for a given speed
setting. But make sure that all readings are between 30-70.
- Once the reading decreases to 30, increase the speed until the viscometer reading is
between 60-70. Repeat this step for one more change in speed. In the end, you should
have data for three speed settings on the viscometer.

Taking data with LabView

- Open the LabView program provided by the TAs.
- Click RUN and type a name for a file in which data will be saved.
- Once the viscometer reading falls between 30 and 70 for the first speed, choose the
corresponding viscometer speed on LabView and click Acquire. The Ready green light
will become bright, and the program will acquire data. When the viscometer reading
drops to 30, click the Acquire button again to pause data acquisition.
- When changing speeds, choose the corresponding viscometer speed in the program and
click Acquire again. The new measurements will be added to the same file.
- Repeat the above procedure until you finish taking measurements for the fastest speed
tested.
- Once you are done, click the STOP button and save the data file. Note that your data may
contain voltage output values outside a range of 0.003 V and 0.007 V; these correspond

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to viscosity readings outside the useable 30-70 range. Remove the bad data before doing
analysis.
Analysis:

PART I: Cannon-Fenske Capillary Viscometer

- For each temperature, determine kinematic viscosity and viscosity.

PART II: Cone and Plate Viscometer

- Using the conversion ranges given in the appendix, determine the viscosity at each
temperature.

PART III: Spindle Viscometer

- Using the ranges given in the appendix, determine the viscosity at each temperature.

PART I, II, and III

For each of the three methods,
- Determine the constants in the exponential model (Equation L12.1) as described above.
- Report the parameters in the exponential model for the temperature dependence of the
viscosity.
- Plot the viscosity vs. temperature data along with the exponential model (linear scales,
not logarithmic). Make sure to use appropriate units.
- Determine the RMS error between the model and the experimental data for each
instrument.

Discussion:
PART I, II, and III
The experiments in this lab all characterize the relationship between viscosity and temperature
for the same fluid using different instruments and experimental designs. Provide a brief
description (in your own words) of the principle underlying each method for determining
viscosity. Describe the influence of specific aspects of the instrument geometry on the
proportionality constants used to compute viscosity.

Compare qualitatively and quantitatively the results obtained by each method. Discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of each method, including (but not necessarily limited to) ease of
use and potential error sources. This section summarizes the conclusions drawn from this lab;
although these instructions are short, this section of the lab report should not be.

Compare the viscosity-temperature models obtained through the experiments above and compare
them to the viscosity charts in a Fluids textbook or from a reputable source. What type of fluid
was used in this lab? Provide the sample data (more than one data point) that support your
conclusion. Hint: we use the same fluid in all parts.

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Full Report:
- Abstract
- Objective (for the entire lab)
- Procedure
a. Cannon-Fenske viscometer
b. Cone and plate viscometer
c. Spindle viscometer
- Results & Analysis
a. Cannon-Fenske viscometer
Results: Table(s) showing calibration numbers, time measurements, kinematic
viscosity, and viscosity.
Analysis: Follow the analysis section.
b. Cone and plate viscometer
Results: Table(s) showing viscosity readings and viscosity.
Analysis: Follow the analysis section.
c. Spindle viscometer
Results: Plots showing the voltage data. Point out any data point that is outside the
usable range.
Analysis: Follow the analysis section.
- Discussion (for the entire lab)
- Conclusions (for the entire lab)

Partial Report: (NOT FOR SPRING 2009)

- Abstract
- Procedure
d. Cannon-Fenske viscometer
e. Cone and plate viscometer
f. Spindle viscometer
- Results & Analysis
d. Cannon-Fenske viscometer
Results: Table(s) showing calibration numbers, time measurements, kinematic
viscosity, and viscosity.
Analysis: Follow the analysis section.
e. Cone and plate viscometer
Results: Table(s) showing viscosity readings and viscosity.
Analysis: Follow the analysis section.
f. Spindle viscometer
Results: Plots showing the voltage data. Point out any data point that is outside the
usable range.
Analysis: Follow the analysis section.
- Brief Discussion: Include an abbreviated discussion section comparing your viscosity vs.
temperature data and models to published data and determine what type of fluid was used
in the lab.

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Appendix:

A. VISCOSITY
a) Definition of Viscosity
b) Classification of Fluids

B. CANNON FENSKE VISCOMETER

C. CONE AND PLATE VISCOMETER

D. BROOKFIELD (DIGITAL) SPINDLE VISCOMETER

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 Lab 12—Revised November 19, 2009

Rheology is the study of the way matter deforms and flows under applied stress. The rheology of fluids is
important to mechanical engineers, and one aspect of fluid rheology is the physical quantity known as viscosity.
A fluid’s viscosity is the ratio of its shear stress to its shear rate. Fluids for which this ratio is a constant are
sometimes called Newtonian fluids. There are other fluids of engineering relevance for which this ratio is not a
constant but rather a function of shear rate; these are called "non-Newtonian" fluids.

Viscosity and its measurement are important to the study of fluid flow. Consider oil for example. Although oils
are Newtonian fluids, their viscosity is highly temperature dependent. Since oils are critical to the lubrication
process, where temperature varies, tribologists, people who study lubrication science, are very much interested in
measuring viscosity.

The viscosity of a fluid is important to the following two fields:

- Tribology: the study of lubrication (applied science)
- Rheology: the study of flow (basic science)

A. VISCOSITY
Studies of viscosity begin by assuming that a fluid is composed of layers that can move or flow relative to one
another. The diagram below schematically represents the laminar flow of a multi-layer fluid:
Layers

n v
n+1 v +dv

In this fluid, we are interested in layers n and n + 1, which are moving in the X direction at different rates.
Because the rates are different, the average X-direction momentum of the fluid particles in layer n is different
from that of the particles in layer n + 1. Therefore, a force must be exerted between these layers in the direction
of movement. When we measure viscosity, we are considering this force; viscosity is a measure of the ability of
a fluid to transport momentum across the layers.

a) Definition of Viscosity
Our assumption about fluid layers drives the viscosity model that is presented below. Here a fluid of thickness h
is placed between two surfaces. The lower surface is fixed and the upper surface is a plate that moves in the X-
direction, parallel to the fixed surface. This upper plate moves with velocity V and exerts force F on the fluid.
The velocity profile indicates that the fluid layers move in a gradient between the moving plate and the fixed
surface, with the distance traveled being proportional to y, the distance of the layer from the fixed surface.

V V = VELOCITY
PLATE MOVING PARALLEL F = FORCE
TO FIXED SURFACE
F
FLUID
h
VELOCITY PROFILE V(y) y
x

Fixed Surface
Using this model several relationships can be defined:

F dV V
τ yx   μ  μ
A dy h
where  is the absolute viscosity, dV/dy is the velocity gradient, also called the shear rate  , and  yx is the shear
stress exerted in the x-direction on a fluid surface of constant y;  yx is a measure of the transport of x-
momentum in the y-direction.
.
Note: If the shear stress  is linear in the shear rate  , then the fluid is Newtonian. Otherwise, it is Non-
Newtonian.

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 Lab 12—Revised November 19, 2009

In many situations we wish to describe the way a fluid’s viscosity varies with its density. The Kinematic
Viscosity, v, describes this relationship thus:

  /

where  is the fluid’s absolute viscosity and  is its density. For a Newtonian fluid, the kinematic viscosity is
related to shear stress thus:

F μ d (V ) d (V )
τ yx    ν
A ρ dy dy

Most lubricating oils are Newtonian. However, their viscosity is highly temperature dependent. For many
common fluids, viscosity depends exponentially on temperature.

b) Classification of Fluids
People commonly focus on viscosity when they describe a fluid’s mechanical behavior, and this is effective for
newtonian fluids. For non-newtonian fluids, however, it can be helpful to focus on the relationship between
shear stress and shear rate, which is schematically displayed in the plot below.

NEWTONIAN
SHEAR .
RATE,  NON-NEWTONIAN

(dv/dy) PLASTIC

 = F/A

Plastic fluids, such as the muds used in drilling oil wells, exhibit a yield stress, which means there is a minimum
stress required before flow occur s.

You need to be aware that shear stress / shear rate plots are sometimes inverted, with shear rate plotted on the x-
axis and shear stress on the y-axis. This is the case in the plot for blood, below.

Units:
Viscosity is commonly reported in units of Poise, while kinematic viscosity is commonly reported in units of
Stokes, as follows:
dyne  sec
 : 1 Poise = 2
 100 cP (cP is a centipoise )
cm
2
cm
 : 1 Stoke =  100 cS (cS is a centistoke )
sec

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 Lab 12—Revised November 19, 2009

Example of a Non-Newtonian Fluid:

Blood is a non-newtonian fluid. Its shear stress / shear rate curve is plotted here. Note that the axes of the graph
here are reversed from the above graph.
10
SHEAR
STRESS = 
(DYNES/CM2) 5

0
0 50 100 150
.
 = SHEAR RATE (S-1)

The flow properties of blood are generally described by the Casson Fluid Model, presented here:
  K    y
where  y is the yield stress of the fluid.

B. CANNON FENSKE VISCOMETER: Laminar Flow in a Tube

The diagram below illustrates the operation of a Cannon-Fenske viscometer, which evaluates viscosity by measuring
the flow of fluid through a tube with radius R that makes an angle θ with the vertical axis. The fluid has a radius r
and a length L.

R
P
O
r
g
 TUBE WALL
h
L 

PL

We can relate the shear stress to the fluid’s rate of movement through the tube, , by balancing the force
equation. At steady state the fluid moves at a constant speed, so the sum of forces along the tube axis is zero:
 PO  P L  r 2   gL  r 2 cos     2 rL 
where Po and PL are pressure acting on both sides of the fluid.
Solving for the shear stress gives us
 p  g cos  
   r
 2L 2 
where  p  PO  PL .

We can simplify the above expression by defining ΔP such that

P = p + gLcos

With this definition, we have a simple way to express shear stress in terms of a distance that the fluid has moved
through the tube:
P
 = r
2L

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 Lab 12—Revised November 19, 2009

As shown earlier, shear stress is related to viscosity:

dV
  
dr

Because we are measuring flow through a tube, the velocity gradient is expressed in terms of the radius of the
fluid. It should be noted here that V decreases with increases in r. Our last two steps allow us to state:

dV P
  r
dr 2L

When we integrate this expression, we obtain

P r
2

V (r )   C1
2 L 2

We evaluate C1 by applying no slip boundary condition V(R) = 0. Hence,

 PR
2

C1 
4 L

 PR 
2
 r  
2

and V (R)  1    
4  L   R  
That is, the velocity distribution is parabolic.
 PR
2

V MAX  V ( 0 ) 
4 L
With a Cannon Fenske viscometer we are concerned with volumetric flow so we will now derive an expression
for Q, the volumetric flow rate:

Q   V ( r ) dA   V ( r ) 2 rdr
A A

 PR
2 R   r  
2

Units of Q: L3/T Q     R   2  rdr

4  L 0 
1 


  PR
4

Q  HAGEN - POISEUILLE LAW

8L

How does one use the Cannon-Fenske capillary viscometer to measure viscosity?
Vf
- Measure flow rate Q 
t
where V f is the fluid volume (which is dependent on the viscometer geometry) and t is efflux time.
- The viscometer tube is short; hence, p = PL – PO is small, and to a good approximation
 P =  gL cos 
4
Vf  g  hR
- From geometry h = L cos ; hence, 
t 8L
4
  g  hR
- Solve for  by rearranging the above equation:    t  Kt
 8 LV f

The constant K is thus a purely geometric factor that varies with the design of the particular viscometer.

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C. CONE AND PLATE VISCOMETER

The cone and plate viscometer measures the torque required to spin the cone at a constant velocity. To determine
the viscosity, we need the relationship between the rotational speed and the torque in terms of the viscosity.
y
SPINNING CONE
 T
ENCLOSED IN
CONSTANT
FLUID
r  TEMPERATURE
BATH
h

STATIONARY
PLATE R

Assume that the fluid sticks to both the cone and the plate (no slip boundary conditions). Therefore,
- The tangential velocity of fluid on the cone surface equals the velocity of the corresponding point on the
cone surface. A point at radial position r and vertical position (gap height) h with an angular velocity  has
a linear velocity V(r,h) = r.
- The velocity of the fluid at the plate is V(r,0) = 0.

The fluid velocity V varies linearly in y, so the shear rate dV/dy is constant throughout the fluid:
dV V r 
  
dy h r tan 
tan 

If the fluid is Newtonian then the shear stress  is given by    dV   . We can compute the torque T
dy tan 
acting on the cone of surface area A by integrating over the surface:
2  R
3

T    r dA 
A
3 s in 
This can be inverted to get an expression for the viscosity as a linear function of the torque:
3 sin  T
 
2 R 
3

To get viscosity  in cP for the particular cone and plate viscometer used in this lab, use the following formula:
(Viscomete r Reading)  (Range)
 
100
where the viscometer reading is proportional to the torque and the cone and plate range is provided in Table
A.L12.1 as a function of the spindle speed.
Table A.L12.1: Brookfield Cone and Plate Viscometer

Speed Model LVT

(rpm) Range (cP)
0.3 2003.9
0.6 1001.9
1.5 400.8
3 200.1
6 100.2
12 50.1
30 20.0
60 10.0

Lab 12. Page 14

 Lab 12—Revised November 19, 2009

D. BROOKFIELD (DIGITAL) SPINDLE VISCOMETER

As with the cone and plate viscometer, the viscosity can be determined from the torque and rotation rate using a
factor that depends on the specifics of the geometry. Note that removal of the guard may alter the flow field
around the rotating spindle, requiring recalibration to get accurate viscosity readings.

To get viscosity  in cP for the particular spindle viscometer used in this lab, use the following formula:
  (Viscomete r Reading)  (Range)
where the viscometer reading is proportional to the torque, and the spindle range is provided in Table A.L12.2 as
a function of the spindle speed.

Table A.L12.2: Brookfield Spindle Viscometer

Speed Model LVT

(rpm) Range (cP)
0.3 200
0.6 100
1.5 40
3 20
6 10
12 5
30 2
60 1

Lab 12. Page 15