Multi-Sample Couette Viscometer for Polymer Formulations

Published

January 1, 2005

Author(s)

H J. Walls, Robert F. Berg, Eric J. Amis

Abstract

We describe a prototype scalable viscometer aimed at facilitating rapid measurements of multiple samples. The device simultaneously measures the viscosity of four samples in an array of Couette cells. Each cell contains a rotor with an embedded permanent magnet that is driven by an oscillating magnetic field generated by a 2-axis Helmholtz coil. The angular displacement of the rotors is recorded by a CCD camera. Image analysis determines the amplitude and phase of the rotors with respect to the coil s sinusoidal current. The viscosity of each sample influences the amplitude and phase of the rotor, which can be predicted with a viscously damped oscillator model. We present data for Newtonian fluids with viscosities from 50 to 2,000 mPa s. The results suggest that our approach can be extended to non- Newtonian fluids.

Citation

Measurement Science & Technology

Volume

16

Issue

No. 1

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

combinatorial methods, combinatorial viscometer, Couette cell, high throughput materials testing, magnetic rheometer, rheology

Citation

Walls, H. , Berg, R. and Amis, E. (2005), Multi-Sample Couette Viscometer for Polymer Formulations, Measurement Science & Technology, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=852329 (Accessed October 27, 2025)