CSC Scientific Blog

A blog about test equipment

Contact Angle Fundamentals: What You Actually Need to Know

Posted by Amanda Ranowsky on Aug 26, 2019 9:00:00 AM

It’s easy to pretend you know the operating terms surrounding contact angle measurement. But do you really? For industries such as coatings, printing, and oil recovery, contact angle testing is an essential component of the production and/or quality assurance process. Having a competent understanding of these terms will make it so much easier to choose the right instrument for your company - one you can be certain will do what you need it to do. 

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Topics: Surface Tension, contact angle, contact angle meter, dynamic contact angle, Liquid Properties

Surface Tension by duNouy Rings or Wilhelmy Plates – Which to Choose?

Posted by Art Gatenby on Jul 16, 2018 5:34:18 PM

When tempted to think I know all there is about surface tension measurement, further information brings me back to earth. I’m conversant with the principal applications: surfactant analysis, plating, detecting contaminants, development of ink and the like. I have assisted customers to set up and calibrate duNouy Ring tensiometers for most applications -- all the while taking for granted that the Ring technique was the method of choice -- with only infrequent questions arising about Wilhelmy Plate tensiometers.

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Topics: Wilhelmy Plates, duNouy Rings, Tensiometer, Surface Tension, interfacial surface tension, Liquid Properties, surface tension instruments, surface tension analysis, Digital tensiometer, automatic Tensiometer

Density - Who Cares? Maybe You Should.

Posted by Art Gatenby on Dec 7, 2017 12:31:49 PM

We’ve all heard of Density since general science class in middle school. "The weight of a 12 ounce Coke." That’s pretty simple.

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Topics: Liquid Properties, density, oscillating u-tube, liquid density

What are Liquid Properties? Why Should Anyone Care?

Posted by Art Gatenby on Aug 10, 2017 2:59:24 PM

The first question is, "What are Liquid Properties?" Are they some kind of underwater real estate?

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Topics: Automatic Surface Tension Measurment, Measure Viscosity, Consistency, contact angle, Liquid Properties, density

How Much Do Rotational Viscometers Cost - And Why?

Posted by Amanda Ranowsky on Apr 19, 2017 8:15:00 AM

Looking at the rotational viscometers on the market today, you'd expect to see small price differences between the instruments offered by competing brands. But what if you find one viscometer priced at $2000 and another at $9000? Is the $9000 viscometer a better instrument? Why is there such a price difference between the two instruments? 

Viscometer prices depend on both the make-up of the instrument's motor, and on the technical features of the instrument (temperature probe, speed range, USB compatibility, etc.). There are two main types of rotational viscometers: those using a spring motor, and those using a servo motor. 

In this article, I’m going to take a look the options available for rotational viscometers, and how those options affect the price.

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Topics: Viscometers, Viscosity, Dynamic Viscosity, rotational viscometer, Liquid Properties

How to Get Consistent and Accurate Test Results with a Rotational Viscometer

Posted by Amanda Ranowsky on Mar 22, 2017 8:00:00 AM

Most rotational viscometer specifications promise high test accuracy and repeatability. However, an instrument on its own cannot guarantee accurate results. Instrument set-up and using the right test parameters are critical pieces of the puzzle. 

Test parameters and turbulence are two key factors to consider when preparing to test with a rotational viscometer. The spindle, speed setting, and temperature of the product are some of the parameters that can impact test results. Additionally, turbulence in the sample’s flow during a test will distort viscosity readings. Knowing how to manage these two factors can significantly contribute to the accuracy of your testing.

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Topics: Measure Viscosity, Viscometers, Viscosity, Dynamic Viscosity, rotational viscometer, Liquid Properties

Do You Need An Automatic Tensiometer?

Posted by Art Gatenby on Dec 6, 2016 5:16:09 PM

This is an update of an article originally published in December 2013 - Three years ago.

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Topics: Automatic Digital Tensiometer, Automatic Surface Tension Measurment, Surface Tension Measurement, Surface Tension, du Nouy tensiometer, Liquid Properties, surface tension instruments, surface tension analysis, Digital tensiometer, automatic Tensiometer

A Spotlight on Rotational Viscometers

Posted by Art Gatenby on Oct 3, 2016 10:45:00 AM

You probably know that rotational viscometers work by measuring the torque on a vertical shaft that rotates a spindle.  The spindle is in the test sample and its rotation is impeded in proportion to the viscosity of the sample. These instruments measure viscosity.

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Topics: Viscometers, Viscosity, Liquid Properties

Should You Move to "Actual" Surface Tension?

Posted by Art Gatenby on Sep 8, 2016 4:31:38 PM

An understandable definition of surface tension: The attraction force between molecules at the surface of a liquid. The force that keeps if from flying off into space.

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Topics: Tensiometer, Surface Tension Measurement, Surface Tension, actual surface tension, apparent surface tension, Liquid Properties

Initiation to Contact Angle

Posted by Art Gatenby on Aug 11, 2016 4:24:42 PM

A classical definition of Contact Angle:

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Topics: Surface Tension, contact angle, contact angle meter, dynamic contact angle, Liquid Properties

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