ASTM D1200-23

Standard Test Method for Viscosity by Ford Viscosity Cup

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is useful for the determination of package and application viscosities of a number of paints and other coatings and in the thinning of these materials, but is limited to Newtonian or near-Newtonian liquids.  
5.2 There are other types of apparatus for measuring viscosity in the laboratory that produce more accurate results.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the viscosity of Newtonian or near-Newtonian paints, varnishes, lacquers, and related liquid materials with the Ford-type efflux viscosity cup. If the material is non-Newtonian, that is, shear-thinning or thixotropic, Test Method D2196 should be used.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2023
• ICS: 87.040 - Paints and varnishes
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.24 - Physical Properties of Liquid Paints & Paint Materials

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D1200 − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Viscosity by Ford Viscosity Cup
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1200; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3.1.1 Newtonian liquid, n—a liquid in which the viscosity is
independent of the shear stress or shear rate. If the ratio of
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the viscos-
shear stress to shear rate is not constant, the liquid is non-
ity of Newtonian or near-Newtonian paints, varnishes,
Newtonian.
lacquers, and related liquid materials with the Ford-type efflux
3.1.2 Near-Newtonian liquid, n—a liquid in which the
viscosity cup. If the material is non-Newtonian, that is,
variation of viscosity with shear rate is small and the effect on
shear-thinning or thixotropic, Test Method D2196 should be
viscosity of mechanical disturbances such as stirring is negli-
used.
gible.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
4. Summary of Test Method
only.
4.1 The Ford viscosity cup is filled level full with the liquid
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
under test, and the time for the material to flow through one of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the standard orifices is measured.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
5. Significance and Use
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1 This test method is useful for the determination of
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
package and application viscosities of a number of paints and
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
other coatings and in the thinning of these materials, but is
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
limited to Newtonian or near-Newtonian liquids.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5.2 There are other types of apparatus for measuring vis-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
cosity in the laboratory that produce more accurate results.
2. Referenced Documents
6. Apparatus
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6.1 Ford Viscosity Cups—Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 Ford
D2196 Test Methods for Rheological Properties of Non-
viscosity cups made of corrosion- and solvent-resistant mate-
Newtonian Materials by Rotational Viscometer
rials assembled as complete units (Note 1), and conforming to
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
the dimensional requirements shown in Fig. 1. The orifice
dimensions are considered as a guide only as the combination
3. Terminology
of cup and orifice dimensions must permit conformance to the
flow formula for each cup as listed in the Appendix.
3.1 Definitions:
NOTE 1—If the orifice is removed from the cup for any reason the cup
should be recalibrated before use as described in the Appendix.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
6.2 Thermometer—Saybolt Viscosity Thermometer con-
and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
forming to the requirements for Thermometer 17C (19 °C to
Subcommittee D01.24 on Physical Properties of Liquid Paints & Paint Materials.
27 °C) or 17F (66 °F to 80 °F) as prescribed in Specification
Current edition approved June 1, 2023. Published June 2023. Originally
E1. In addition, temperature measuring devices such as non-
approved in 1952. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D1200 – 10 (2018).
DOI: 10.1520/D1200-23.
mercury liquid-in-glass thermometers, thermocouples, or plati-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
num resistance thermometers that provide equivalent or better
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
accuracy and precision, that cover the temperature range for
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. thermometer 17C and 17F, may be used.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D1200 − 23
10. Conditioning
10.1 Bring the material to a t
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D1200 − 10 (Reapproved 2018) D1200 − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Viscosity by Ford Viscosity Cup
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1200; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the viscosity of Newtonian or near-Newtonian paints, varnishes, lacquers, and
related liquid materials with the Ford-type efflux viscosity cup. If the material is non-Newtonian, that is, shear-thinning or
thixotropic, Test Method D2196 should be used.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D2196 Test Methods for Rheological Properties of Non-Newtonian Materials by Rotational Viscometer
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Newtonian liquid, n—a liquid in which the viscosity is independent of the shear stress or shear rate. If the ratio of shear stress
to shear rate is not constant, the liquid is non-Newtonian.
3.1.2 Near-Newtonian liquid, n—a liquid in which the variation of viscosity with shear rate is small and the effect on viscosity
of mechanical disturbances such as stirring is negligible.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The Ford viscosity cup is filled level full with the liquid under test, and the time for the material to flow through one of the
standard orifices is measured.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.24 on Physical Properties of Liquid Paints & Paint Materials.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2018June 1, 2023. Published December 2018June 2023. Originally approved in 1952. Last previous edition approved in 20142018 as
D1200 – 10 (2014).(2018). DOI: 10.1520/D1200-10R18.10.1520/D1200-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D1200 − 23
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method is useful for the determination of package and application viscosities of a number of paints and other coatings
and in the thinning of these materials, but is limited to Newtonian or near-Newtonian liquids.
5.2 There are other types of apparatus for measuring viscosity in the laboratory that produce more accurate results.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Ford Viscosity Cups—Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 Ford viscosity cups made of corrosion- and solvent-resistant materials assembled
as complete units (Note 1), and conforming to the dimensional requirements shown in Fig. 1. The orifice dimensions are considered
as a guide only as the combination of cup and orifice dimensions must permit conformance to the flow formula for each cup as
listed in the Appendix.
NOTE 1—If the orifice is removed from the cup for any reason the cup should be recalibrated before use as described in the Appendix.
6.2 Thermometer—Saybolt Viscosity Thermometer conforming to the requirements for Thermometer 17C (19 to 27°C) or 17F (66
to 80°F)(19 °C to 27 °C) or 17F (66 °F to 80 °F) as prescribed in Specification E1. In addition, temperature measuring devices such
as non-mercury liquid-in-glass thermometers, thermocouples, or
...