Viscometers
Viscometers
Instruments used to measure the viscosity of a fluid; available in a variety of configurations.
Viscometers or viscosimeters are important to many industries, including the adhesive, biotech, chemical, food, paint, petroleum, and pharmaceutical industries.
What Is a Viscometer?
Viscometers are instruments used to measure viscosity, the internal friction of the layers of a liquid in motion. An example is the slower flow of syrup from a container — syrup is more viscous than water.
How Is Viscosity Measured?
In general, viscometers move an object through a stationary fluid or move the fluid past a stationary object to measure the friction between the fluid and the object or surface. Viscometers measure using a single flow condition.
What Are the Different Types of Viscometers?
- Glass capillary viscometers or Ostwald or Ubbelohde viscometers consist of a U-shaped glass tube held vertically in a controlled temperature bath. Liquid is drawn by suction into the upper bulb and allowed to flow down into the lower bulb. You calculate viscosity by measuring the amount of time it takes for the liquid to move between two marks.
- Falling ball viscometers measure the time it takes for a sphere of a known size and density to descend through a stationary liquid. This can be done electronically for opaque fluids.
- Rotational viscometers use the concept of torque to measure the effort required to turn a disk or bob in a fluid. Rotating bobs are more common, rotating cups reduce the likelihood of vortex formation, and "cone and plate" viscometers create a constant shear rate at any speed.
Fisherbrand™ Glass Kinematic Viscometer Tubes
Cannon™-Fenske type viscometer tubes for measuring kinematic viscosity of petroleum products by ASTM™ D 445.
Fisherbrand™ Glass Ubbelohde Calibrated Viscometer Tubes
For measurement of kinematic viscosities of petroleum products according to ASTM™ D 445 and D 446.
Cannon™ SimpleVIS™ Portable Automated Kinematic Viscometer

For measuring kinematic viscosity of small samples of transparent Newtonian liquids according to ASTM D 445 and ISO 3104. Cannon SimpleVIS Portable Automated Kinematic Viscometer is a single sample, field-portable viscometer with near D445 precision. It is easy to use, rugged and fast.
Fisherbrand™ Zahn Cup-Type Viscometers
Fisherbrand Zahn Cup-Type Viscometers are used for quick, accurate measurements of viscosity of liquids such as paint, lacquer, varnish, syrup, oil, etc.
Cannon™ Manning Calibrated CMSMC Semi-Micro Viscometers

For measurement of kinematic viscosity of small samples of transparent Newtonian liquids, including petroleum products or lubricants, according to ASTM D 445 and ISO 3104.
Fisherbrand™ Glass Opaque Calibrated Viscometer Tubes
Cannon™-Fenske opaque type viscometer tubes for measuring viscosity of dark liquids and lubricating oils by ASTM™ D 445.
Cannon™ Ubbelohde Calibrated UBC Series Viscometers

Suspended level instrument for measurement of kinematic viscosity.
Fisherbrand™ Glass Vacuum Viscometer Tubes
Cannon™-Manning type viscometer tubes for measuring viscosities of highly viscous materials such as asphalt cement at 60°C (140°F) according to ASTM™ D 2171.
Thermo Scientific™ HAAKE™ Viscotester™ iQ Rheometer Application Packages
Ready to use in seconds in any configuration you need
Thermo Scientific™ HAAKE™ Falling Ball Viscometer C
Measure viscosity precisely using only a stop watch and no power connection with the Thermo Scientific™ HAAKE™ Falling Ball Viscometer C.
Cannon™ Zeitfuchs Cross-Arm Viscometer

Use to determine kinematic viscosities of transparent and opaque Newtonian liquids according to ASTM D 445 and ISO 3104.
IKA™ Rotavisc lo-vi Complete Viscometer Package
Rotation Viscosimeter Packages
IKA™ ROTAVISC me-vi HELI Complete Viscometer Package
The ROTAVISC me-vi HELI Complete Viscometer Package determines the viscosity of medium-viscosity liquids in all areas of application ranging from the laboratory to quality control.
IKA™ Rotavisc me-vi Complete Viscometer Package
Rotation Viscosimeter Packages