Common Viscometer Terms

Common Viscometer Terms

A guide for product comparisons!

Use viscometers to measure the viscosity of various fluids including adhesives, paints, lubricating oils, varnishes, pastes, gels, syrups, and candy coatings.

Newtonian Fluid: Viscosity remains constant with a change in shear rate. Examples include water and paint solvents.

Non-Newtonian Fluid: Viscosity varies with a change in shear rate. Examples include catsup, batters, and inks.

Absolute Viscosity: Viscosity of a Newtonian fluid under given conditions.

Apparent Viscosity: Viscosity of a non-Newtonian fluid under given conditions.

Kinematic Viscosity: Absolute viscosity/density.

Poise: Unit of absolute viscosity; abbreviated "p". Equivalent to stoke x specific gravity. A centipoise is 0.01 p.

Stoke: Unit of kinematic viscosity; abbreviated "St". A centistoke is 0.01 St.