thumb '''Flow cups''' are designed to accurately measure the viscosity<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/viscosity|title=Definition of VISCOSITY}}</ref> of paints, inks, varnishes and similar products. The process of flow through an orifice can often be used as a relative measurement and classification of viscosity. This measured kinematic viscosity is generally expressed in seconds of flow time which can be converted into centistokes (cSt) using a viscosity calculator.<ref>[http://www.byk.com/fileadmin/BYK/downloads/support-downloads/instruments/theory/physical-properties/en/Intro_Viscosity.pdf Viscosity] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512204513/http://www.byk.com/fileadmin/BYK/downloads/support-downloads/instruments/theory/physical-properties/en/Intro_Viscosity.pdf |date=2013-05-12 }}. BYK-Gardner GmbH</ref>
Flow cups are manufactured using high grade aluminium alloy with stainless steel orifices (where indicated), flow cups are available with a range of UKAS / ISO 17025 certified standard oils to confirm the flow cup is measuring within specification.
{| class="wikitable" |- ! !! Type !! Orifice diameter !! Viscosity range !! Flow times |- | || '''BS FLOW CUP'''<br />BS 3900 (1971) Old Specification (B2)<br />BS 3900 (1971) Old Specification (B3)<br />BS 3900 (1971) Old Specification (B4)<br />BS 3900 (1971) Old Specification (B5)<br />BS 3900 (1971) Old Specification (B6) ||<br /> 2.38mm (0.09”)<br />3.17mm (0.12”)<br />3.97mm (0.16”)<br />4.76mm (0.19”)<br />7.14mm (0.28”) ||<br /> 38 - 71cSt <br />38 - 147cSt <br />71 - 455cSt <br />299 - 781cSt <br />781 - 1650cSt <br /> ||<br /> 30 - 300 secs |- | || '''DIN FLOW CUP'''<br />Din Flow Cup (2mm) - Din 53211<br />Din Flow Cup (4mm) - Din 53211<br />Din Flow Cup (6mm) - Din 53211<br />Din Flow Cup (8mm) - Din 53211<br />''The orifices are manufactured from stainless steel.'' || 2mm (0.08”)<br />4mm (0.16”)<br />6mm (0.24”)<br />8mm (0.31”) || <br />15 - 30cSt<br />112 - 685cSt<br />550 - 1500cSt<br />1200 - 3000cSt<br />(''approximately'') || <br />25 - 150 secs |- | || '''FORD FLOW CUP'''<br />Ford Flow Cup No 1 - ASTM D1200<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.astm.org/Standards/D1200.htm|title=ASTM D1200 - 10(2018) Standard Test Method for Viscosity by Ford Viscosity Cup}}</ref><br />Ford Flow Cup No 2 - ASTM D1200<br />Ford Flow Cup No 3 - ASTM D1200<br />Ford Flow Cup No 4 - ASTM D1200<br />Ford Flow Cup No 5 - ASTM D1200<br />''The orifices are manufactured from stainless steel''. || 2.1mm (0.08”)<br />2.8mm (0.11”)<br />3.4mm (0.13”)<br />4.1mm (0.16”)<br />5.8mm (0.23”) || 10 - 35cSt<br />25 - 120cSt<br />49 - 220cSt<br />70 - 370cSt<br />200 - 1200cSt<br /> || 55 - 100 secs<br />40 - 100 secs<br />30 - 100 secs<br />30 - 100 secs<br />30 - 100 secs |- | || '''ISO/ASTM FLOW CUP'''<br />Flow Cups to BS EN ISO 2431,<ref>[http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=51936] ISO 2431:2011</ref> ASTM D5125<br />Flow Cups to BS EN ISO 2431, ASTM D5125<br />Flow Cups to BS EN ISO 2431, ASTM D5125<br />Flow Cups to BS EN ISO 2431, ASTM D5125<br />Flow Cups to BS EN ISO 2431, ASTM D5125<br />''The orifices are manufactured from stainless steel''. || 3mm (0.12”)<br />4mm (0.16”)<br />5mm (0.20”)<br />6mm (0.24”)<br />8mm (0.31”) || 7 - 42cSt<br />35 - 135cSt<br />91 - 325cSt<br />188 - 684cSt<br />600 - 2000cSt || 30 - 100 secs |- | || '''AFNOR FLOW CUP'''<br />Afnor Flow Cup - 2.5mm - NF T30-014<br />Afnor Flow Cup - 4mm - NF T30-014<br />Afnor Flow Cup - 6mm - NF T30-014<br />Afnor Flow Cup - 8mm - NF T30-014 || <br />2.5mm (0.10”)<br />4mm (0.16”)<br />6mm (0.24”)<br />8mm (0.31”) ||<br /> 5 - 140cSt<br />50 - 1100cSt<br />510 - 5100cSt<br />700 - 11500cSt || 30 - 100 secs |- | || '''FRIKMAR FLOW CUP'''<br />Frikmar Flow Cup 2mm<br />Frikmar Flow Cup 4mm<br />Frikmar Flow Cup 6mm<br />Frikmar Flow Cup 8mm<br />''The orifices are manufactured from stainless steel''. || 2mm (0.08”)<br />4mm (0.16”)<br />6mm (0.24”)<br />8mm (0.31”) || <br />15 - 30 cSt<br />112 - 685cSt<br />550 - 1500cSt<br />1200 - 3000cSt<br />(''approximately'') || <br />25 - 150 secs |}
==See also== * Flow measurement * Viscometer * Zahn cup * Ford cup
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Fluid dynamics Category:Viscosity meters