What is the difference between a rheometer and a viscometer? Read this, with table comparison

What is a rheometer?

Rheometers are used to measure the way liquids, suspensions or slurries flow. It is used for those fluids that cannot be defined by a single value and thus require more parameters to be set and measured. 

Rheometer type

• Capillary rheometer

• Extension Rheometer

• Torque Rheometer

• Interface Rheometer

Rheometers have a wide and varied application in the material science and chemical industry of petroleum, asphalt, plastics, waxes, paints, coatings and adhesives. They are also used in food and beverages and personal care products such as cosmetics, shampoo and toothpaste.

What you need to know about rheometers

1. Rheometers are used to determine the rheological properties of polymer melts, polymer solutions, suspensions, emulsions, coatings, inks and foods.

2. Types of rheometers include rotational rheometers, capillary rheometers, extensional rheometers, torque rheometers, and interface rheometers.

3. Rheometers measure rheological properties, the internal flow resistance of fluids and the flow properties of liquids.

4. Rheometers are used for those that cannot be defined by a single viscosity value and therefore require more parameter settings and measurements.

5. Rheometers measure a range of viscosity rates over a wide shear range.

6. A rheometer can be used as a viscometer.

7. A rheometer can measure the properties of a fluid in any situation, that is, whether the fluid obeys Newton's laws of viscosity. Fluids that obey Newton's law of viscosity are called as Newtonian fluids and those that don't are called non-Newtonian fluids. 

8. Rheometers are used in industry to monitor batch consistency and quality control.

What is a Viscometer?

A viscometer is an instrument used to measure the viscosity and flow characteristics of liquids. Viscosity is a measure of a liquid's resistance to flow (shear stress) at a given temperature. Only viscometers measure under one flow condition. Either the liquid remains stationary and the object moves through it, or the object remains stationary and the fluid passes through it. The resistance caused by the relative motion of a fluid and a surface is viscosity. The flow conditions require a Reynolds number with a small enough value to have laminar flow.

Viscometer type

• Rotational Viscometer

• Vibration Viscometer

• Oscillating viscometer

• Falling Piston Viscometer

• Falling Ball Viscometer

• Saybolt Viscometer

• Capillary Viscometer

• Orifice Viscometer

• Mahogany viscometer, etc.

Applied Viscometer

• Measure engine oil flow temperature conditions.

• Analyze the flow characteristics of milk to design a suitable piping system.

• Check the viscosity of jams and syrups to ensure batch consistency.

What you need to know about viscometers

1. A viscometer is an instrument used to measure fluid viscosity and flow characteristics of liquids.

2. There are several different types of viscometers; they include Rotational Viscometer, vibratory viscometer, oscillating viscometer viscometer, falling piston viscometer, falling ball viscometer, Saybolt viscometer, capillary viscometer, orifice plate viscometer, mahogany Viscometer etc.

3. Viscometers only measure the viscosity of liquids.

4. Viscometers are used for measurements that can be defined by a single viscosity value.

5. Viscometers measure viscosity over a range of shear rates.

6. A viscometer cannot be used as a rheometer.

7. Viscometers can only measure fluids under certain conditions, that is, fluid viscosity that follows Newton's law.

8. Viscometers are used in industry to monitor batch consistency and quality control.

Difference Between Rheometer and Viscometer Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms