Laboratory Applications :: Brookfield Viscosity Journal

Chocolate Processing

Chocolates have a wide range of flow properties which relate to enrobing and making blocks. In the viscosity measurement of chocolate products, it is common to describe the flow properties using the Casson flow curve.

Cold Cream

Cold cream is used (1) to remove facial cosmetics or "make-up", and (2) as a skin cleanser, for example.

Hair Conditioner

Conditioner is used to give hair "body" - that is, a "thicker" and smoother feel [after shampoo is used for cleaning hair].

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is used as a dressing, typically mixed with other foods in making salads and sandwiches, for example.

Oil / Gas Well Drilling Fluids

Drilling for oil and gas requires sensitive viscosity instrumentation, especially at low-shear rates, to insure that production is optimized. Field viscosity measurements on drilling and fracturing fluids are required to predict flow performance under the extremely low shear conditions applicable to solids transport down hole.

Polyamide/Nylon Molding Powder

ASTM D 789-98 provides an official, standardized procedure for testing polyamide or nylon molding powders. The higher the molecular weight of the polyamide - that is, the longer the nylon molecules - the higher the viscosity will be at a given concentration in the selected solvent.

Pudding

The Helipath Stand with T-bar spindles is commonly used to test creamy or pasty materials in a wide variety of industries. In this example, two different puddings were tested directly in their containers (small cups).

Starch

The SSB (Starch System Brookfield) monitors the viscosity of starches during automated quick-cook (gelatinization) and fast cool-down of starch samples. The SSB ensures that starch samples can be accurately tested and results known quickly so production adjustments can be made immediately.

Unsaturated Polyester Resins

Viscosity can be used as pass/fail criteria for those UPRs that go through several reactions before they are put into pelletized, sheet, or granular form. These basic polymers then can be filled with fibers (typically spun glass) and formed into shapes like watercraft hulls or car fenders.

Pharmaceutical Ointment

Pharmaceutical ointments are engineered to have rheological properties important to the physical performance of the product when used by the consumer. Most ointments are intended to be thick when standing to prevent them from flowing away from the intended area of use.