ASTM_D_4212_-_16.pdf

Designation:D421216Standard Test Method forViscosity by Dip-Type Viscosity Cups1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4212;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the determination of viscosityof paints,varnishes,lacquers,inks,and related liquid materialsby dip-type viscosity cups.This test method is recommendedfor viscosity control work within one plant or laboratory andshould be used to check compliance with specifications onlywhen sufficient controls have been instituted to ensure ad-equate comparability of results.1.2 Viscosity cups are designed for testing of Newtonianand near-Newtonian liquids.If the test material is non-Newtonian,for example,shear-thinning or thixotropic,anothermethod,such as Test Methods D2196,should be used.Undercontrolled conditions,comparisons of the viscosity of non-newtonian materials may be helpful,but viscosity determina-tion methods using controlled shear rate or shear stress arepreferred.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.The values given in parentheses are for informationonly.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D1200 Test Method for Viscosity by Ford Viscosity CupD2196 Test Methods for Rheological Properties of Non-Newtonian Materials by Rotational ViscometerD4287 Test Method for High-Shear Viscosity Using a Cone/Plate ViscometerE1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 near-Newtonian liquid,na liquid in which the varia-tion of viscosity with shear rate is small and the effect onviscosity of mechanical disturbances such as stirring is negli-gible.3.1.2 Newtonian liquid,na liquid in which the viscosity isindependent of the shear stress or shear rate.If the ratio ofshear stress to shear rate is not constant,the liquid is non-Newtonian.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 The cup is completely immersed in the material to betested,withdrawn,and the time for the material to flow througha hole in the base of the cup is measured.5.Significance and Use5.1 Viscosity is a measure of the fluidity of a material.Viscosity data are useful in the determination of the ease ofstirring,pumping,dip coating,or other flow-related propertiesof paints and related fluids.5.2 This type of cup is used to measure viscosity because itis easy to use,robust,and may be used in tanks,reservoirs,andreactors.5.3 There are other types of apparatus for measuring vis-cosity in the laboratory that provide better precision and bias,including the Ford viscosity cup(Test Method D1200),and therotational viscometer(Test Methods D2196).5.4 Certain higher shear rate devices such as cone/plateviscometers(Test Method D4287)provide more informationabout sprayability,roll coatability,and other high-shear raterelated properties of coatings.6.Apparatus6.1 Zahn Viscosity CupNo.1 through No.5 Zahn viscos-ity cups made of corrosion-and solvent-resistant materials.The nominal capacity of the cup is 44 mL,but may vary from43 to 49 mL,depending on the manufacturer.A diagram of aZahn cup is given in Fig.1.The dimensions,including orifices,are only approximate because the cups are not made to auniform specification.Each manufacturer produces a differentcup and considerable variation between batches from some1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paintand Related Coatings,Materials,and Applications and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee D01.24 on Physical Properties of Liquid Paints&Paint Materials.Current edition approved Feb.1,2016.Published February 2016.Originallyapproved in 1982.Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D4212 10(2014).DOI:10.1520/D4212-16.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 manufacturers has been noted in the past.This is a majorreason why Zahn cups should not be referenced in specifica-tions between producer and user only when controls sufficientto ensure adequate cup-to-cup and operator-to-operator com-parison are included.(See Appendix X1 for additional infor-mation on Zahn Cups.)NOTE1The various cup numbers are for identification of the viscosityranges within the series only and should not be used for comparisonbetwe