Complete Guide to Viscosity Part 2: Measurements and Devices Explained

Accurate and reliable measurement of viscosity is critical both in laboratory environments and in maintaining process control and quality in the use of coatings and adhesives. We have presented the two most popular and common methods for viscosity measurement: Viscometers and Flow Cups.Viscometers are generally much more accurate (+/- 0.1%) and can take into account factors such as temperature, whereas an application method is dependent on precise viscosity (as an example +/- 5%) but can be expensive and are not always durable enough for use in industrial settings. Flow cups sacrifice accuracy ( +/- 12%) but are much simpler to use as low-cost, basic process measurement devices.The choice of which to use is of course dependent upon your specific situation, and it is not uncommon to use both methods with flow cups in the industrial environment and viscometers for finer measurement in the laboratory.