Basic Info About Viscosity

The thickness of a fluid is called viscosity. Honey has high viscosity while water has low viscosity. This simple example gets confusing when considering the density of various fluids. Viscosity results from the interaction between different molecules in fluids, and that determines the energy needed for different fluids to flow.

How we measure viscosity

Various methods are used to measure viscosity, including DIY.  Determining viscosity helps buyers select the right electric mixers for any application.

DIY method

Think of it in terms of how long it takes fluids to pour from one vessel to another. For instance, water pours from a glass to another receptacle in a fraction of a second taking the shape of the new container just as quickly. Honey though, requires minutes to pour out and just as long to settle into its new container replacing the air as it does. Notice how I mentioned time to establish viscosity of these two fluids? We refer to this as measuring kinematic viscosity, or the speed with which a fluid flows against a given force. The force in this example is gravity.

Viscometers

There is a large variety of types of viscometers that can be used to measure viscosity. The history of viscometry is extensive. Options are narrowed down by analyzing their base principles. Relative viscosity works in general terms, but absolute viscosity is measured using refined tools that offer reliable and accurate measurements. Absolute viscosity does not compare one fluid to another.

Electric mixers help researchers and manufacturers create the products consumers need.

Arrow Engineering
260 Pennsylvania Avenue
Hillside, NJ 07205
(908) 353-5229