CSC Scientific Blog

A blog about test equipment

What is the Difference Between Dynamic and Kinematic Viscosity?

Posted by Hank Levi on Jan 26, 2024 1:55:33 PM

At first glance, viscosity seems like a fairly simple concept. It helps describe how thick a product is, or how well it flows. That's all, right?

In reality, there are several different terms that come under the heading of viscosity. These terms are derived from how the viscosity is measured. When people talk about viscosity, they are talking about one of two things: kinematic viscosity or dynamic viscosity.

It's not easy to find a lot of information on the differences between dynamic and kinematic viscosity. This is my attempt to bring clarity to these two principal concepts.

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Topics: Newtonian Fluid, Viscometers, Viscosity, Consistency, Kinematic Viscosity, Dynamic Viscosity, rotational viscometer, Liquid Properties, density, Texture Analysis, gel time

When Do I Need a Consistometer vs. a Viscometer?

Posted by Art Gatenby on Nov 30, 2021 4:05:31 PM

One of the most frequently asked questions we get is, "How can I get a viscosity reading from the Bostwick Consistometer?" The answer is, "You can't." We've elaborated on this in other articles. We've even got a great infographic to explain the difference. With this article, I hope to advance the understanding of the difference between these concepts even further.

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Topics: Viscosity, Bostwick Consistometer, Consistency, viscometer, consistometer, Liquid Properties

Is Consistency Viscosity? Not really!

Posted by Art Gatenby on Nov 19, 2021 5:18:35 PM

The Bostwick Consistometer

We make the Bostwick Consistometer. The Bostwick is used extensively to measure the consistency of sauces and condiments. It has strong application in the quality control departments of ketchup and mustard producers. Results from a Bostwick Consistometer have been used for more than six decades to control the quality of many of the foods you use.

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Topics: Viscosity, Consistency, Surface Tension Measurement, Liquid Properties

Can You Define Viscosity Without Feeling Thick?

Posted by Art Gatenby on Oct 5, 2021 4:43:00 PM

Do an internet search for the term “viscosity”, and you’ll find a variety of definitions for the word. For example:

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Topics: Viscometers, Viscosity

Why Test for Viscosity in Food

Posted by Art Gatenby on Sep 30, 2021 4:35:00 PM

When people hear of viscosity for the first time, invariably they ask these three questions:

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Topics: Newtonian Fluid, Measure Viscosity, Viscometers, Viscosity, Viscosity in Food

Do You Use Epoxies, Adhesives, Resins or Coatings?

Posted by Amanda Ranowsky on Jan 6, 2020 8:00:00 AM

Have you ever mixed up a batch of epoxy glue and, just before you finished the job, of course, had the mix unexpectedly turn into solid concrete? If you have, you experienced the effect of gel time. This term is a common measurement for products that thicken, cure, gel or harden when mixed. Product such as epoxies, adhesives, resins and coatings all use gel time measurements.

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Topics: Viscometers, Viscosity, gel time

How Can I Measure Viscosity?

Posted by Art Gatenby on Dec 20, 2019 2:29:00 PM

 

The answer, like most answers in the crazy measurement world, is, “it depends”. To find out what it depends on, we'll start with defining viscosity.
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Topics: "Ask Art", Newtonian Fluid, Measure Viscosity, Viscometers, Viscosity

New Methods of Controlling Sample Temperatures [Water Baths to Peltier Plates]

Posted by Amanda Ranowsky on Jun 24, 2019 8:30:00 AM

Peltier temperature control is becoming more common in viscosity testing, but traditional water baths are still the norm for many companies. Should you switch Peltier-based temperature control for you critical samples?

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Topics: Measure Viscosity, Viscometers, Viscosity, viscometer, rotational viscometer, differences in rotational viscometers

What are Viscosity Flow Curves?

Posted by Amanda Ranowsky on Dec 19, 2018 8:30:00 AM

What are Viscosity Flow Curves?

A flow curve – also known as a rheogram – is a graphical representation of how a flowing material (fluid) behaves when it is subjected to increasing or decreasing shear rates. The corresponding shear stress and viscosity are calculated from the instrument’s parameters. You can tell what type of fluid (Newtonian/Non-Newtonian, thixotropic, dilatant, etc.) the sample is by the shape of the flow curve.

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Topics: Measure Viscosity, Viscometers, Viscosity

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

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