How to measure viscosity using Elcometer Dip Cups

There are a number of ways to measure the viscosity of a liquid, one of which is dip cups - also known as a viscosity cup.
This video will show you how to use a viscosity cup - specifically a viscosity dip cup.
Viscosity cups are available in a wide range of industry standard designs, and orifice diameters to suit different viscosities.
When measuring the viscosity of a fluid, what you are really measuring is the resistance a fluid has to flow.
To test using a viscosity cup, you will require a viscosity dip cup, a stopwatch, a thermometer with a liquid probe, and a container of your sample liquid - ensuring there is enough of a sample to be able to submerge the dip cup entirely.
If a preferred dip cup isn’t listed on the technical data sheet of the liquid you are testing, then typically you should select a cup that will give an estimated flow time of between 30 to 100 seconds.
However this is dependent on the range of the dip cup you are testing with, or the test method or standard you are working to.
The measured kinematic viscosity is expressed in seconds, which can be converted into Centistokes using a simple formula. The Elcometer 2400 Viscosity Disc provides a quick way to work out your kinematic viscosity in Centistokes.
Alternatively you could use ElcoCalc, Elcometer’s free app available from the Android or Apple App stores. Find out more here: www.elcometer.c...
It’s important to note, not all dip cups provide results that can be converted into Centistokes - so in these cases, you’d record the kinematic viscosity in seconds flow time.
For more information on Elcometer's range of viscosity dip cups, contact Elcometer at [e-mail] or visit our website at www.elcometer....
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Click here to download the video script in English: www.elcometer....
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STANDARDS
Elcometer 2210 Zahn Viscosity Dip Cups:
ASTM D 1084-D, ASTM D 4212
Elcometer 2310 Shell Viscosity Dip Cups:
ASTM D 4212
Elcometer Frikmar Viscosity Dip Cups:
DIN VISCOSITY DIP CUPS:
DIN 53211 (Cup 4 only)
FORD/ASTM VISCOSITY DIP CUPS:
ASTM D 1200, ASTM D 5125
ISO VISCOSITY DIP CUPS:
AS/NZS 1580.214.6:1995, ISO 2431
AFNOR VISCOSITY DIP CUPS:
NF T30-014

[@arjunav5425]

Really helpful for instrumentation engineering students, thank you

[@kgkmurthy1961]

Nicely explained... thanks.

[@BilalUranli]

Great explainations .. Thanks :)

[@hopetolive7810]

Good

[@KandakaNaturals]

what is best for soap production

[@ElcometerOfficialChannel]

Hi, This would depend on the type of soap and its viscosity. Please get in touch with support at [e-mail] and we can help you with this question.

[@izanfaizan3384]

K and C are constants given in the following table for type Zahn Cup and Shell Cup. then what about the Lory LCH and Fikmar types?

[@ElcometerOfficialChannel]

Thank you for your comment. The Lory Viscosity Cup does not have a constant and does not conform to a Standard, whilst the constants of the Frikmar Cups are defined in ASTM D 1200 and ISO 2431. If you have any further questions please contact [e-mail] or visit www.elcometer.com/contact-us to find your local Elcometer distributor

[@izanfaizan3384]

@@ElcometerOfficialChannel Thanks

[@amilkarmendizabal8843]

How would you measure antibacterial gel?

[@ElcometerOfficialChannel]

Thank you for your comment. As antibacterial gel is generally thicker in its nature, it is unlikely that a Flow Cup or Dip Cup would be suitable. Alternatively you could use an Elcometer 2290 Daniel Flow Gauge as a comparator. If you have any further questions, please contact [e-mail] or visit www.elcometer.com/contact-us to find your local Elcometer distributor.

[@abdulrahim-gy9zj]

Can we measure viscosity of whipping cream with this cup?

[@ElcometerOfficialChannel]

Thank you for your comment. Whipping cream does not flow enough to be used successfully with a dip cup or flow cup. We recommend a rotational viscometer. For more information please contact [e-mail] or visit www.elcometer.com/contact-us to find your local Elcometer distributor.

[@joabenogueira6999]

this brand is present in Brazil or only in Europe

[@ElcometerOfficialChannel]

Hi Joabe, Elcometer products are available worldwide and you can find your nearest distributor here: www.elcometer.com/find-your-distributor

[@frankdennis5347]

How do I test for starch for corrugation of paper board

[@ElcometerOfficialChannel]

Thank you for your comment. Whilst we are not specialists in the paper industry, if this starch is a homogeneous liquid, with no solids contained in the solution, then it may be possible to use a flow or dip cup to measure its viscosity. Check our website for the range of measurable viscosities of each cup, and if you know the approximate viscosity of your starch, choose a cup that would take 60-100 seconds to reach that value. Elcometer Dip and Flow Cups: www.elcometer.com/en/laboratory-physical-test-equipment/viscosity-cups.html The chart on page 4 of this PDF takes the time of a test with each viscosity cup size and converts it to centistokes: www.elcometer.com/images/stories/PDFs/Datasheets/English/viscosity_cups.pdf If you have any further questions, please contact [e-mail] or visit www.elcometer.com/contact-us to find your local Elcometer distributor.

[@sophiakassandrayvonnejamer1373]

Does lower cSt mean higher viscosity?

[@sophiakassandrayvonnejamer1373]

Hi, hoping for a response. I just need it for my research

[@sophiakassandrayvonnejamer1373]

Is negative cSt possible?

[@sophiakassandrayvonnejamer1373]

Please respond, I need information for my research

[@hybrid4984]

How to measure 60% chili sauce viscosity?

[@ElcometerOfficialChannel]

Thank you for your comment. Does the chilli sauce have seeds in it? If so, the seeds may get stuck in the hole of the dip cup causing measurement issues. If the sauce has seeds in we suggest using an Elcometer 2290 Daniel Flow Gauge instead: www.elcometer.com/en/coating-inspection/laboratory-physical-test-equipment/flow-gauges/elcometer-2290-daniel-flow-gauge.html If the sauce does not have seeds in it, then you should be able to submerge a suitable dip cup in it to measure the viscosity. If you have any further questions, please contact [e-mail] or visit www.elcometer.com/contact-us to find your local Elcometer distributor.