BYK-Gardner 172 Metal Ford Viscosity Cup, Number 2, Certified

The BYK-Gardner 172 Ford viscosity cup has a 25 to 120 centistokes (cSt) viscosity range and is suitable for testing fluids such as paints and lacquers. The number 2 aluminum flow cup has a stainless steel orifice with a 0.10-inch diameter. Efflux times range from 30 to 100 seconds. It includes an ASTM certificate. This Ford viscosity cup is calibrated against National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for testing standard oils and meets ASTM International D1200 standard for testing viscosity, ASTM D333 standard for testing paints, and ASTM D365 standard for testing nitrocellulose lacquers.

A viscometer, also called a viscosimeter, is an instrument used to measure the friction caused by the relative motion of a Newtonian fluid and a known surface, and is usually expressed in units of poise (P), centipoise (cP), pascal seconds (Pa s), and millipascal seconds (mPa s). Viscometers have several forms, including but not limited to falling ball, rotational, vibrating, capillary, funnel, and bubble. A falling ball viscometer measures the time it takes for a ball of known diameter and density to fall through fluid in a cylinder of known diameter. A rotational viscometer measures the force required to stir a fluid. A vibrating viscometer measures the power input necessary to keep the oscillator vibrating at constant amplitude while immersed in a fluid. A capillary viscometer has a narrow-bore vertical section with two printed marks that measure time required for a known volume of fluid to fall a known distance. A funnel viscometer, such as a Ford, Zahn, or Shell cup, measures the time it takes a known volume of fluid to flow from the base of a cone through a short tube. A bubble viscometer measures the time required for an air bubble to rise through a fluid. Viscosity measurements are used in laboratories, research and development, process control, and plant quality control applications. Some viscometers are manufactured to meet industry or governmental standards, including Ingress Protection (IP), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), International Standards Organization (ISO), and ASTM International (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials)

BYK-Gardner manufactures additives that enhance material properties and testing equipment for commercial and industrial applications. The company, founded in 1873 and headquartered in Geretsried, Germany, is a division of Altana Group.