ASTM E3070-22

Standard Test Method for Shear Thinning Index of Non-Newtonian Liquids Using a Rotational Viscometer

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The flow behavior of many fluids of interest is non-Newtonian in nature. Non-Newtonian behavior is best studied using rheometry apparatus. Nonetheless, estimations on non-Newtonian behavior may be made by recording viscosity at differing rotational speeds (or shear rates) using rotational viscometers.  
5.2 The shear thinning index provides a tool for the estimation of the amount of non-Newtonian behavior.  
5.3 The shear thinning index may be used in quality assessment, trouble shooting, specification acceptance, and research.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes the determination of the shear thinning index of a shear-rate dependent (non-Newtonian) fluid using a rotational viscometer. A value of the shear thinning index of unity indicates that the material is Newtonian in behavior. A value greater than unity indicates shear thinning behavior.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2021
• ICS: 17.060 - Measurement of volume, mass, density, viscosity
• Technical Committee: E37 - Thermal Measurements
• Drafting Committee: E37.08 - Rheology

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E3070 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Shear Thinning Index of Non-Newtonian Liquids Using a
1
Rotational Viscometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3070; 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.
1. Scope* including Celsius, non-Newtonian, rheometry, viscosity, and
viscometer.
1.1 This test method describes the determination of the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
shear thinning index of a shear-rate dependent (non-
Newtonian) fluid using a rotational viscometer. A value of the 3.2.1 shear thinning, n—a decrease in viscosity with in-
creasing shear rate.
shear thinning index of unity indicates that the material is
Newtonian in behavior. A value greater than unity indicates
3.2.2 shear thinning index, n—the ratio of apparent viscos-
shear thinning behavior.
ity at two rotational speeds or shear rates.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
4. Summary of Test Method
standard.
4.1 For Newtonian fluids, viscosity is independent of shear
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
rate. Non-Newtonian fluids are those for which the viscosity
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
changes as a function of shear rate. Many materials of interest
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
are non-Newtonian in behavior.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.2 The viscosity of a non-Newtonian fluid is measured at
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
different shear rates and the values compared as their ratio.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
This is known as the shear thinning index. For Newtonian
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
fluids the shear thinning ratio is unity. For non-Newtonian
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
fluids the shear thinning ratio increases with increasing non-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Newtonian nature.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.3 The shear thinning index of non-Newtonian fluids is
2. Referenced Documents determined by the ratio of viscosity measurements made at two
2
rotational speeds, preferably a decade apart.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E473 Terminology Relating to Thermal Analysis and Rhe-
NOTE 1—The shear thinning index depends upon experimental condi-
ology
tions including geometry and rotational speed. These values shall be
E1142 Terminology Relating to Thermophysical Properties
reported.
E2975 Test Method for Calibration or Calibration Verifica-
tion of Concentric Cylinder Rotational Viscometers
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The flow behavior of many fluids of interest is non-
3. Terminology
Newtonian in nature. Non-Newtonian behavior is best studied
3.1 Definitions—Specific technical terms used in this stan-
using rheometry apparatus. Nonetheless, estimations on non-
dard method are described in Terminologies E473 and E1142
Newtonian behavior may be made by recording viscosity at
differing rotational speeds (or shear rates) using rotational
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E37 on Thermal
viscometers.
Measurements and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E37.08 on Rheol-
ogy.
5.2 The shear thinning index provides a tool for the estima-
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2022. Published January 2022. Originally
tion of the amount of non-Newtonian behavior.
approved in 2018 as E3070 – 18. DOI: 10.1520/E3070-22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.3 The shear thinning index may be used in quality
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
assessment, trouble shooting, specification acceptance, and
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. research.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E3070 − 22
6. Apparatus operating at its maximum rotational speed results in a torque
reading near full scale torque.
6.1 Rotational Viscometer—The essential instrumentation
required providing the minimum rotational viscometer analyti-
8.2 Install the viscometer as described in the operation’s
cal capabilities include:
manual.
6.1.1 A drive motor, to a
...

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: E3070 − 18 E3070 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Shear Thinning Index of Non-Newtonian Liquids Using a
1
Rotational Viscometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3070; 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.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This test method describes the determination of the shear thinning index of a shear-rate dependent (non-Newtonian) fluid using
a rotational viscometer. A value of the shear thinning index of unity indicates that the material is Newtonian in behavior. A value
greater than unity indicates shear thinning behavior.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
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:
E473 Terminology Relating to Thermal Analysis and Rheology
E1142 Terminology Relating to Thermophysical Properties
E2975 Test Method for Calibration or Calibration Verification of Concentric Cylinder Rotational Viscometers
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Specific technical terms used in this standard method are described in Terminologies E473 and E1142
including Celsius, non-Newtonian, rheometry, viscosity, and viscometer.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 shear thinning, n—a decrease in viscosity with increasing shear rate.
3.2.2 shear thinning index, n—the ratio of apparent viscosity at two rotational speeds or shear rates.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E37 on Thermal Measurements and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E37.08 on Rheology.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2018Jan. 1, 2022. Published October 2018January 2022. Originally approved in 20162018 as E3070 – 16.18. DOI: 10.1520/E3070-
18.10.1520/E3070-22.
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’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E3070 − 22
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 For Newtonian fluids, viscosity is independent of shear rate. Non-Newtonian fluids are those for which the viscosity changes
as a function of shear rate. Many materials of interest are non-Newtonian in behavior.
4.2 The viscosity of a non-Newtonian fluid is measured at different shear rates and the values compared as their ratio. This is
known as the shear thinning index. For Newtonian fluids the shear thinning ratio is unity. For non-Newtonian fluids the shear
thinning ratio increases with increasing non-Newtonian nature.
4.3 The shear thinning index of non-Newtonian fluids is determined by the ratio of viscosity measurements made at two rotational
speeds, preferably a decade apart.
NOTE 1—The shear thinning index depends upon experimental conditions including geometry and rotational speed. These values shall be reported.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The flow behavior of many fluids of interest is non-Newtonian in nature. Non-Newtonian behavior is best studied using
rheometry apparatus. Nonetheless, estimations on non-Newtonian behavior may be made by recording viscosity at differing
rotational speeds (or shear rates) using rotational viscometers.
5.2 The shear thinning index provides a tool for the estimation of the amount of non-Newtonian behavior.
5.3 The shear thinning index may be used in quality assessment, trouble shooting, specification acceptance, and research.
6. Apparatus
6.1
...