• Kinematic Viscometers

Kinematic Viscometers


Kinematic Viscometers
Calibrated Glass Capillary Kinematic Viscometers

Koehler offers a full selection of glass capillary viscometers for measuring kinematic viscosity of liquid petroleum products in accordance with ASTM D445 and related standard test methods. All types of viscometers conform to ASTM D446 and related standard specifications for glass capillary kinematic viscometers. Each viscometer is supplied with a calibration certificate, and holders should be ordered separately. Please refer to the following brief descriptions for determining which viscometer is best suited for your particular application.


Cannon®-Fenske Routine Viscometers
The Cannon®-Fenske Routine viscometer is a rugged and inexpensive viscometer that works well if the sample is transparent or translucent. Other viscometers for transparent samples in this catalog include the Cross Arm and BS/U-Tube viscometers.


Ubbelohde Viscometers
The Ubbelohde viscometer and other suspended-level viscometers are used to measure transparent liquids. Unlike the Cannon®-Fenske Routine viscometer, suspended level viscometers maintain the same viscometer constant at all temperatures, which is advantageous when samples are to be measured at different temperatures. Other suspended level viscometers in this catalog include the BS/IP/SL, BP/IP/SL(S), and BP/IP/MSL viscometers.


Reverse Flow Viscometers
The Cannon®-Fenske Opaque, Cross Arm, and BS/IP/RF U-Tube viscometers have been designed for testing opaque liquids. These viscometers wet the timing section of the viscometer capillary only during the actual measurement and must be cleaned, dried and refilled before a repeat measurement can be made. By contrast, other viscometer types commonly used to measure transparent liquids allow the sample to be repeatedly drawn up into the capillary, permitting duplicate measurements.


Small Volume Viscometers
Several semi-micro viscometers have been designed which require one milliliter or less of liquid, which include the Cannon®-Manning Semi-Micro, Cannon®-Manning Semi-Micro Extra Low Charge, and Cannon®-Ubbelohde Semi-Micro viscometers.


Dilution Viscometers
Estimates of the molecular size and shape of large polymers molecules can be obtained from kinematic viscosity measurements of dilute solutions. The Cannon®-Ubbelohde Dilution viscometer has an extra large reservoir which allows polymer solutions to be diluted several times and measures viscosities at four different shear rates. Dilute polymer solutions frequently appear to exhibit changes in kinematic viscosity when the shear rate is changed.


Vacuum Viscometers
In most glass capillary viscometers, the samples flow under gravity. When liquids are too viscous to flow readily under gravity, vacuum viscometers may be used to measure viscosity. A vacuum is applied to one end of the viscometer to pull the liquid through the capillary into the timing bulb. Koehler offers the Cannon®-Manning Vacuum, the Asphalt Institute Vacuum, and the Modified Koppers Vacuum reverse flow viscometer tubes. These vacuum viscometers require an accurately controlled vacuum regulator for proper measurement. Please refer to page 13 for information about the Koehler Vacuum Regulator.


Cannon®-Fenske Routine
For kinematic viscosity of transparent liquids up to 100,000cSt. Requires a sample of approximately 7mL. Use with K23310 and K23350 rectangular metal holders or K23381 and K23351 round plastic holders. Length: 250mm

Catalog No. Size Approximate
Constant, cST/s
Kinematic Viscosity Range, cSt
378-025-C01 25 0.002 0.5 to 2
378-050-C01 50 0.004 0.8 to 4
378-075-C01 75 0.008 1.6 to 8
378-100-C01 100 0.015 3 to 15
378-150-C01 150 0.035 7 to 35
378-200-C01 200 0.1 20 to 100
378-300-C01 300 0.25 50 to 250
378-350-C01 350 0.5 100 to 500
378-400-C01 400 1.2 240 to 1,200
378-450-C01 450 2.5 500 to 2,500
378-500-C01 500 8.0 1,600 to 8,000
378-600-C01 600 20.0 4,000 to 20,000
378-650-C01 650 45.0 9,000 to 45,000
378-700-C01 700 100.0 20,000 to 100,000


Cannon®-Fenske Opaque
Reverse-flow viscometer for measurement of transparent and dark liquids having kinematic viscosities of up to 100,000cSt. Requires a sample of approximately 12mL. Allows timing of samples whose thin films are opaque and are thus not suitable for modified Ostwald and suspended-level type viscometers. Can be used for kinematic viscosities of asphalts by ASTM D2170 method. Use with K23310 and K23350 rectangular metal holders or K23381 and K23351 round plastic holders. Length: 295mm

Catalog No. Size Approximate Constant, cST/s Kinematic Viscosity Range, cSt
378-025-C02 25 0.002 0.4 to 2
378-050-C02 50 0.004 0.8 to 4
378-075-C02 75 0.008 1.6 to 8
378-100-C02 100 0.015 3 to 15
378-150-C02 150 0.035 7 to 35
378-200-C02 200 0.1 20 to 100
378-300-C02 300 0.25 50 to 250
378-350-C02 350 0.5 100 to 500
378-400-C02 400 1.2 240 to 1,200
378-450-C02 450 2.5 500 to 2,500
378-500-C02 500 8.0 1,600 to 8,000
378-600-C02 600 20.0 4,000 to 20,000
378-650-C02 650 45.0 9,000 to 45,000
378-700-C02 700 100.0 20,000 to 100,000


Ubbelohde
Suspended-level type viscometer for kinematic viscosities of transparent liquids of up to 100,000cSt. Requires a sample volume of approximately 11mL. Use with K23320 and K23350 rectangular metal holders or K23382 and K23351 round plastic holders. Length: 283mm

Catalog No. Size Approximate Constant, cST/s Kinematic Viscosity Range, cSt
378-000-C03 0 0.001 0.3 to 1
378-00C-C03 0C 0.003 0.6 to 3
378-00B-C03 0B 0.005 1 to 5
378-001-C03 1 0.01 2 to 10
378-01C-C03 1C 0.03 6 to 30
378-01B-C03 1B 0.05 10 to 50
378-002-C03 2 0.1 20 to 100
378-02C-C03 2C 0.3 60 to 300
378-02B-C03 2B 0.5 100 to 500
378-003-C03 3 1.0 200 to 1,000
378-03C-C03 3C 3.0 600 to 3,000
378-03B-C03 3B 5.0 1,000 to 5,000
378-004-C03 4 10.0 2,000 to 10,000
378-04C-C03 4C 30.0 6,000 to 30,000
378-04B-C03 4B 50.0 10,000
378-005-C03 5 100.0 20,000 to 100,000


Cannon®-Ubbelohde Four-Bulb Shear Dilution
Suspended level viscometer for the measurement of intrinsic viscosity extrapolated to zero shear rate. Provides five-fold range of shear rates. Requires approximately 20mL of sample. Use with K23361 rectangular holder or K23384 round holder. Length: 280 mm

Catalog No. Size Approximate Constant, cST/s Kinematic Viscosity Range, cSt
378-025-C16 25 0.002 0.5 to 2
378-050-C16 50 0.004 0.8 to 4
378-075-C16 75 0.008 1.6 to 8
378-100-C16 100 0.015 3 to 15
378-150-C16 150 0.035 7 to 35


Cannon®-Ubbelohde
Suspended level viscometer for transparent liquids. Requires approximately 11mL of sample. Use with K23361 rectangular holder or K23384 round holder. Length: 335mm

378-025-C11 25 0.002 0.5 to 2
378-050-C11 50 0.004 0.8 to 4
378-075-C11 75 0.008 1.6 to 8
378-100-C11 100 0.015 3 to 15
378-150-C11 150 0.035 7 to 35
378-200-C11 200 0.1 20 to 100
378-300-C11 300 0.25 50 to 200
378-350-C11 350 0.5 100 to 500
378-400-C11 400 1.2 240 to 1,200
378-450-C11 450 2.55 00 to 2,500
378-500-C11 500 8.01 ,600 to 8,000
378-600-C11 600 20.0 4,000 to 20,000
378-650-C11 650 45.0 9,000 to 45,000
378-700-C11 700 100.0 20,000 to 100,000


Cannon®-Ubbelohde Dilution
Suspended level viscometer for the measurement of intrinsic viscosity of transparent liquids. Requires approximately 8mL of sample. Use with K23361 rectangular holder or K23384 round holder. Length: 385mm. Note: 18" Depth bath required to accommodate tubes.

378-025-C15 25 0.002 0.5 to 2
378-050-C15 50 0.004 0.8 to 4
378-075-C15 75 0.008 1.6 to 8
378-100-C15 100 0.015 3 to 15
378-150-C15 150 0.035 7 to 35
378-200-C15 200 0.1 20 to 100
378-300-C15 300 0.25 50 to 200
378-350-C15 350 0.5 100 to 500
378-400-C15 400 1.2 240 to 1,200
378-450-C15 450 2.5 500 to 2,500
378-500-C15 500 8.0 1,600 to 8,000
378-600-C15 600 20.0 4,000 to 20,000


Cannon®-Ubbelohde Semi-Micro
For transparent liquids. Requires approximately 1.0mL of sample. Use with K23361 rectangular holder or K23384 round holder. Length: 335mm

378-025-C12 25 0.002 0.5 to 2
378-050-C12 50 0.004 0.8 to 4
378-075-C12 75 0.008 1.6 to 8
378-100-C12 100 0.015 3 to 15
378-150-C12 150 0.035 7 to 35
378-200-C12 200 0.1 20 to 100
378-300-C12 300 0.25 50 to 200
378-350-C12 350 0.5 100 to 500
378-400-C12 400 1.2 240 to 1,200
378-450-C12 450 2.5 500 to 2,500
378-500-C12 500 8.0 1,600 to 8,000
378-600-C12 600 20.0 4,000 to 20,000


Cannon®-Manning Semi-Micro
For transparent liquids. Requires a sample of approximately 1.0mL. Use with K23310 and K23350 rectangular holders or K23381 and K23351 round holders. Length: 275mm

378-025-C10 25 0.002 0.5 to 2
378-050-C10 50 0.004 0.8 to 4
378-075-C10 75 0.008 1.6 to 8
378-100-C10 100 0.015 3 to 15
378-150-C10 150 0.035 7 to 35
378-200-C10 200 0.1 20 to 100
378-300-C10 300 0.25 50 to 200
378-350-C10 350 0.5 100 to 500
378-400-C10 400 1.2 240 to 1,200
378-450-C10 450 2.5 500 to 2,500
378-500-C10 500 8.0 1,600 to 8,000
378-600-C10 600 20.0 4,000 to 20,000


Cannon®-Manning Semi-Micro Extra Low Charge
For transparent liquids. Requires a sample of approximately 0.5mL. Use with K23350 rectangular holders or K23351 round holders. Length: 200mm

378-025-C17 25 0.002 0.5 to 2
378-050-C17 50 0.004 0.8 to 4
378-075-C17 75 0.008 1.6 to 8
378-100-C17 100 0.015 3 to 15
378-150-C17 150 0.035 7 to 35
378-200-C17 200 0.1 20 to 100
378-300-C17 300 0.25 50 to 200
378-350-C17 350 0.5 100 to 500
378-400-C17 400 1.2 240 to 1,200
378-450-C17 450 2.5 500 to 2,500
378-500-C17 500 8.0 1,600 to 8,000
378-600-C17 600 20.0 4,000 to 20,000


Cross-Arm
Reverse-flow type viscometer for transparent and dark liquids having kinematic viscosities of up to 100,000cSt. Requires a sample of approximately 1-3mL. Use with K23362 and K23350 rectangular metal holders or K23383 and K23351 round plastic holders. Length: 305mm

378-001-C09 1 0.003 0.6 to 3
378-002-C09 2 0.01 2 to 10
378-003-C09 3 0.03 6 to 30
378-004-C09 4 0.1 20 to 100
378-005-C09 5 0.3 60 to 300
378-006-C09 6 1.0 200 to 1,000
378-007-C09 7 3.0 600 to 3,000
378-008-C09 8 10.0 2,000 to 10,000
378-009-C09 9 30.0 6,000 to 30,000
378-010-C09 10 100.0 20,000 to 100,000


BS/IP/RF U-Tube Opaque
Reverse-flow viscometer for opaque liquids having kinematic viscosities of up to 300,000cSt. Requires a sample of 12-25mL. Use with K23330 rectangular metal holders or K23387 round plastic holders. Length: 275mm

378-001-C08 1 0.003 0.6 to 3
378-002-C08 2 0.01 2 to 10
378-003-C08 3 0.03 6 to 30
378-004-C08 4 0.1 20 to 100
378-005-C08 5 0.3 60 to 300
378-006-C08 6 1.0 200 to 1,000
378-007-C08 7 3.0 600 to 3,000
378-008-C08 8 10.0 2,000 to 10,000
378-009-C08 9 30.0 6,000 to 30,000
378-010-C08 10 100.0 20,000 to 100,000
378-011-C08 11 300.0 60,000 to 300,000


BS/U-Tube Transparent
U-Tube viscometer for transparent liquids having kinematic viscosities of up to 10,000cSt. Requires a sample of 7-23mL. Length: 300mm

378-00A-C08 A 0.003 0.9 to 3
378-00B-C08 B 0.01 2.0 to 10
378-00C-C08 C 0.03 6 to 30
378-00D-C08 D 0.1 20 to 100
378-00E-C08 E 0.3 60 to 300
378-00F-C08 F 1.0 200 to 1,000
378-00G-C08 G 3.0 600 to 3,000
378-00H-C08 H 10.0 2,000 to 10,000


BS/U/M Miniature U-Tube
Miniature U-Tube viscometer for transparent liquids having kinematic viscosities of up to 100cSt. Requires a sample of 2mL. Length: 250mm

378-0M1-C18 M1 0.001 0.2 to 1
378-0M2-C18 M2 0.005 1 to 5
378-0M3-C18 M3 0.015 3 to 15
378-0M4-C18 M4 0.04 8 to 40
378-0M5-C18 M5 0.1 20 to 100


BS/IP/MSL Miniature Suspended Level
Miniature suspended level viscometer for transparent liquids having kinematic viscosities of up to 3,000cSt. Requires a sample of 4mL. Length: 345mm

378-001-C19 1 0.003 0.6 to 3
378-002-C19 2 0.01 2 to 10
378-003-C19 3 0.03 6 to 30
378-004-C19 4 0.1 20 to 100
378-005-C19 5 0.3 60 to 300
378-006-C19 6 1.0 200 to 1,000
378-007-C19 7 3.0 600 to 3,000


BS/IP/SL Suspended Level
Suspended level viscometer for transparent liquids having kinematic viscosities of up to 100,000cSt. Requires a sample of 11mL. Length: 250mm

378-001-C20 1 0.01 3.5 to 10
378-01A-C20 1A 0.03 6 to 30
378-002-C20 2 0.1 20 to 100
378-02A-C20 2A 0.3 60 to 300
378-003-C20 3 1.0 200 to 1,000
378-03A-C20 3A 3.0 600 to 3,000
378-004-C20 4 10.0 2,000 to 10,000
378-04A-C20 4A 30.0 6,000 to 30,000
378-005-C20 5 100.0 20,000 to 100,000


BS/IP/SL(S) Suspended Level
Shortened suspended level viscometer for transparent liquids having kinematic viscosities of up to 100,000cSt. Requires a sample of 10mL. Length: 255mm

378-001-C21 1 0.0008 3.5 to 10
378-002-C21 2 0.003 6 to 30
378-003-C21 3 0.01 20 to 100
378-004-C21 4 0.03 60 to 300
378-005-C21 5 0.1 200 to 1,000
378-006-C21 6 0.3 600 to 3,000
378-007-C21 7 1.0 2,000 to 10,000
378-008-C21 8 3.0 6,000 to 30,000
378-009-C21 9 10.0 20,000 to 100,000


Cannon®-Manning Vacuum
For highly viscous materials, including asphalt cement at 140°F (60°C) in accordance with ASTM D2171. Requires approximately 6mL of sample. Use with K23360 rectangular holder or K23388 round holder. Length: 230-260mm

Catalog No. Size Bulb B Bulb C Viscosity Range, Poise
378-004-C13 4 0.0002 0.0006 0.36 to 0.8
378-005-C13 5 0.006 0.002 0.12 to 2.4
378-006-C13 6 0.02 0.006 0.36 to 8
378-007-C13 7 0.06 0.02 1.2 to 24
378-008-C13 8 0.2 0.06 3.6 to 80
378-009-C13 9 0.6 0.2 12 to 240
378-010-C13 10 2 0.6 36 to 800
378-011-C13 11 6 2 120 to 2,400
378-012-C13 12 20 6 360 to 8,000
378-013-C13 13 60 20 1,200 to 24,000
378-014-C13 14 200 60 3,600 to 80,000


Asphalt Institute Vacuum
Similar to Cannon®-Manning Vacuum type, but with graduated capillary instead of two timing bulbs. Requires a sample of approximately 4mL. Use with K23360 rectangular holder or K23388 round holder. Length: 230-260mm

Catalog No. Size Bulb B Bulb C Bulb D Viscosity Range, Poise
378-025-C14 25 2 1 0.7 42 to 800
378-050-C14 50 8 4 3 180 to 3,200
378-100-C14 100 32 16 10 600 to 12,800
378-200-C14 200 128 64 40 2,400 to 52,000
378-400-C14 400 500 250 160 9,600 to 200,000


Modified Koppers Vacuum
For highly viscous materials in accordance with ASTM D2171. Requires a sample of 2mL. Use with K23364 rectangular holder or K23363 round holder. Length: 270mm

Catalog No. Size Bulb B Bulb C Bulb D Viscosity Range, Poise
378-025-C06 25 2 1 0.7 42 to 800
378-050-C06 50 8 4 3 180 to 3,200
378-100-C06 100 32 16 10 600 to 12,800
378-200-C06 200 128 64 40 2,400 to 52,000
378-400-C06 400 500 250 160 9,600 to 200,000