ASTM D4212-16

Standard Test Method for Viscosity by Dip-Type Viscosity Cups

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Viscosity is a measure of the fluidity of a material. Viscosity data are useful in the determination of the ease of stirring, pumping, dip coating, or other flow-related properties of paints and related fluids.  
5.2 This type of cup is used to measure viscosity because it is easy to use, robust, and may be used in tanks, reservoirs, and reactors.  
5.3 There are other types of apparatus for measuring viscosity in the laboratory that provide better precision and bias, including the Ford viscosity cup (Test Method D1200), and the rotational viscometer (Test Methods D2196).  
5.4 Certain higher shear rate devices such as cone/plate viscometers (Test Method D4287) provide more information about sprayability, roll coatability, and other high-shear rate related properties of coatings.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of viscosity of paints, varnishes, lacquers, inks, and related liquid materials by dip-type viscosity cups. This test method is recommended for viscosity control work within one plant or laboratory and should be used to check compliance with specifications only when sufficient controls have been instituted to ensure adequate comparability of results.  
1.2 Viscosity cups are designed for testing of Newtonian and near-Newtonian liquids. If the test material is non-Newtonian, for example, shear-thinning or thixotropic, another method, such as Test Methods D2196, should be used. Under controlled conditions, comparisons of the viscosity of non-newtonian materials may be helpful, but viscosity determination methods using controlled shear rate or shear stress are preferred.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.4 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2016
• ICS: 17.060 - Measurement of volume, mass, density, viscosity
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.24 - Physical Properties of Liquid Paints & Paint Materials

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: D4212 − 16
Standard Test Method for
1
Viscosity by Dip-Type Viscosity Cups
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4212; 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 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the determination of viscosity 3.1 Definitions:
of paints, varnishes, lacquers, inks, and related liquid materials 3.1.1 near-Newtonian liquid, n—a liquid in which the varia-
by dip-type viscosity cups. This test method is recommended tion of viscosity with shear rate is small and the effect on
for viscosity control work within one plant or laboratory and viscosity of mechanical disturbances such as stirring is negli-
should be used to check compliance with specifications only gible.
when sufficient controls have been instituted to ensure ad-
3.1.2 Newtonian liquid, n—a liquid in which the viscosity is
equate comparability of results.
independent of the shear stress or shear rate. If the ratio of
shear stress to shear rate is not constant, the liquid is non-
1.2 Viscosity cups are designed for testing of Newtonian
Newtonian.
and near-Newtonian liquids. If the test material is non-
Newtonian, for example, shear-thinning or thixotropic, another
4. Summary of Test Method
method, such as Test Methods D2196, should be used. Under
controlled conditions, comparisons of the viscosity of non-
4.1 The cup is completely immersed in the material to be
newtonian materials may be helpful, but viscosity determina-
tested, withdrawn, and the time for the material to flow through
tion methods using controlled shear rate or shear stress are
a hole in the base of the cup is measured.
preferred.
5. Significance and Use
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information 5.1 Viscosity is a measure of the fluidity of a material.
only. Viscosity data are useful in the determination of the ease of
stirring, pumping, dip coating, or other flow-related properties
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of paints and related fluids.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.2 This type of cup is used to measure viscosity because it
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
is easy to use, robust, and may be used in tanks, reservoirs, and
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
reactors.
5.3 There are other types of apparatus for measuring vis-
2. Referenced Documents
cosity in the laboratory that provide better precision and bias,
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
including the Ford viscosity cup (Test Method D1200), and the
D1200 Test Method for Viscosity by Ford Viscosity Cup
rotational viscometer (Test Methods D2196).
D2196 Test Methods for Rheological Properties of Non-
5.4 Certain higher shear rate devices such as cone/plate
Newtonian Materials by Rotational Viscometer
viscometers (Test Method D4287) provide more information
D4287 Test Method for High-Shear Viscosity Using a Cone/
about sprayability, roll coatability, and other high-shear rate
Plate Viscometer
related properties of coatings.
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
6. Apparatus
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint 6.1 Zahn Viscosity Cup—No. 1 through No. 5 Zahn viscos-
and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
ity cups made of corrosion- and solvent-resistant materials.
Subcommittee D01.24 on Physical Properties of Liquid Paints & Paint Materials.
The nominal capacity of the cup is 44 mL, but may vary from
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2016. Published February 2016. Originally
43 to 49 mL, depending on the manufacturer. A diagram of a
approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D4212 – 10 (2014).
DOI: 10.1520/D4212-16.
Zahn cup is given in Fig. 1. The dimensions, including orifices,
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
are only approximate because the cups are not made to a
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
uniform specification. Each manufacturer produces a different
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. cup and considerable variation between batches from some
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4212 − 16
NOTE 1—Dimensions are approximate o
...

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: D4212 − 10 (Reapproved 2014) D4212 − 16
Standard Test Method for
1
Viscosity by Dip-Type Viscosity Cups
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4212; 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
1.1 This test method covers the determination of viscosity of paints, varnishes, lacquers, inks, and related liquid materials by
dip-type viscosity cups. This test method is recommended for viscosity control work within one plant or laboratory and should be
used to check compliance with specifications only when sufficient controls have been instituted to ensure adequate comparability
of results.
1.2 Viscosity cups are designed for testing of Newtonian and near-Newtonian liquids. If the test material is non-Newtonian, for
example, shear-thinning or thixotropic, another method, such as Test Methods D2196, should be used. Under controlled conditions,
comparisons of the viscosity of non-newtonian materials may be helpful, but viscosity determination methods using controlled
shear rate or shear stress are preferred.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1200 Test Method for Viscosity by Ford Viscosity Cup
D2196 Test Methods for Rheological Properties of Non-Newtonian Materials by Rotational Viscometer
D4287 Test Method for High-Shear Viscosity Using a Cone/Plate Viscometer
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 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.
3.1.2 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.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The cup is completely immersed in the material to be tested, withdrawn, and the time for the material to flow through a hole
in the base of the cup is measured.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Viscosity is a measure of the fluidity of a material. Viscosity data are useful in the determination of the ease of stirring,
pumping, dip coating, or other flow-related properties of paints and related fluids.
5.2 This type of cup is used to measure viscosity because it is easy to use, robust, and may be used in tanks, reservoirs, and
reactors.
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 and& Paint Materials.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2014Feb. 1, 2016. Published December 2014February 2016. Originally approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 20102014
as D4212 – 10.D4212 – 10 (2014). DOI: 10.1520/D4212-10R14.10.1520/D4212-16.
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 ----------------------
D4212 − 16
5.3 There are other types of apparatus for measuring viscosity in the laboratory that provide better precision and bias, including
the Ford viscosity cup (Test Method D1200), and the Brookfieldrotational viscometer (Test Methods D2196).
5.4 Certain higher shear rate devices such as cone/plate viscometers (Test Method D4287) provide more information about
sprayability, roll coatability, and other high-shear rate related properties of coatings.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Zahn Viscosity Cup—No. 1 through No. 5 Zahn viscosity cups made of corrosion- and solvent-resistant materials. The
nominal capacity of the cup is 44 mL, bu
...