Comparison of Viscometer Instrument Categories

Rotational Viscometer / open beaker Rotational Viscometer / defined gap Rotational Rheometer SVM Viscometer Gravimetric Capillary Viscometer / manual Gravimetric Capillary Viscometer / automatic Houillon Viscometer Hoeppler Viscometer Rolling Ball Microviscometer
Rotational Viscometer Rotational Viscometer Rotational Rheometer SVM Viscometer Gravimetric Capillary Viscometer Gravimetric Capillary Viscometer Gravimetric Capillary Viscometer Falling Ball Viscometer Rolling Ball
3 different models; L: To measure low-viscosity materials; R: To measure medium-viscosity materials; H: To measure high vicosity materials Sample volume < 20 mL and for shear rate control Model for high shear/high torque measurements Ubbelohde Ubbelohde Houillon Hoeppler Microviscometer
Infinite-gap geometry / open beaker Defined gap geometries: Concentric cylinder systems Small sample adapter systems Ultra low viscosity adapter/double-gap systems Concentric cyliner systems Double-gap system Automatic Manual Automatic Semi-automatic Manual Automatic
Automation possible no no no yes no yes yes no yes
Calculated quantity dynamic viscosity dynamic viscosity dynamic viscosity dynamic / kinematic viscosity, density kinematic viscosity kinematic viscosity kinematic viscosity dynamic viscosity (density required) dynamic / kinematic viscosity (density required)
Lab space < 0.25 m² < 0.25 m² < 0.25 m² < 0.25 m² ~ 0.5 m² ~ 0.5 m² ~ 0.5 m² < 0.25 m² < 0.25 m²
Liquid bath thermostat required yes (for sample temperature control from abient to + 100 °C) no yes (for -20°C) no (0 °C to + 180 °C) no (counter cooling for temperatures < -20°C) yes yes yes yes no (counter cooling for temperatures <+5°C)
Measured quantity torque torque torque rotational speed, frequency time time time time time
Measuring accuracy ± 1% full scale range (at 100% torque) ± 1% full scale range (at 100% torque) < 3 % < 1 % < 1 % < 1 % ~ 2 % < 1 % < 1 %
Sample throughput - max / h --- --- --- 30 (ultrafast test, single determination) 2 < 20 up to 75 2 manual: 10 / flow-through: 20
Sample volume - typical 500 mL 2 to 20 mL 1 to 90 mL 5 mL 18 mL 25 mL < 1 mL 40 mL starting from 0.1 mL / typ. 1.5 mL
Shear rate calculation no yes yes yes no no no no yes
Shear rate control no yes yes no no no no no no
Solvent volume - typical --- --- --- 7.5 mL 30 mL 40 mL < 10 mL --- manual: 5 mL / flow-through: 10 mL
Standards and norms e.g. ASTM D1084, ASTM D1824, ASTM D2196, ASTM D2364, ASTM D2556, ASTM D3288, ISO 2555, ISO 1652, USP<912>, Ph. Eur. 2.2.10 e.g. ASTM D2983, ASTM D8210, ASTM D5133, ASTM D7110, DIN 53019, EN/ISO 3219, DIN 54453 (double gap systems), USP <912>, Ph. Eur. 2.2.10 DIN 1342, DIN 53019, EN/ISO 3219, DIN 54453 (double gap systems), USP <912>, Ph. Eur. 2.2.10 e.g. ASTM D7042,ASTM D4052, ASTM D1655, ASTM D2270, ASTM D2501, ASTM D2502, ASTM D2161, EN16896, ISO12185 ISO 3104, ISO 3105, ASTM D445, ASTM D446, IP 71, BS188, USP<911> ISO 3104, ISO 3105, ASTM D445, ASTM D446, IP 71, BS188, USP<911> ASTM D7279 DIN 53015, ISO 12058 USP <913>, corresponds to DIN 53015 and ISO12058 ISO12058
Temperature - max typically ambient +175 °C +180°C +135°C +200°C +200°C +120°C +150°C +100°C
Temperature - min typically ambient -45 °C -20 °C -60°C -40°C -40°C +20°C -60°C -30°C
Temperature change with same filling limited yes yes yes no no no no yes
Viscosity range - max L: 6 000 000 mPa.s; R: 40 000 000 mPa.s; H: 320 000 000 mPa.s 100 000 mPa.s (higher values possible with small sample adapter spindles) 1 000 000 000 mPa.s 30,000 mPa.s 100,000 mm²/s 100,000 mm²/s 2000 mm²/s 70,000 mPa.s 10,000 mPa.s
Viscosity range - min L: 15 mPa.s; R: 100 mPa.s; H: 800 mPa.s L: 1 mPa.s; R: 3 mPa.s; H: 24 mPa.s 1 mPa.s 0.2 mPa.s 0.3 mm²/s 0.3 mm²/s 2 mm²/s 0.5 mPa.s 0.3 mPa.s