ALTANA Flow Cups User Manual

03/02

BYK-Gardner GmbH

Lausitzer Str. 8
D-82538 Geretsried
Germany
Tel. 0-800-gardner
(0-800-4273637)
[phone]
Fax: [phone]

www.bykgardner.com

Operating Instructions
Flow Cups
Cat. No. 0173, 0174, 0115,

0140, 0213, 0214,
0215, 0216

E

BYK-Gardner USA

9104 Guilford Road
Columbia, MD 21046
USA
Phone: [phone]
301-483-6500
Fax: [phone]
301-483-6555

Flow Cups Flow Cups

Standards

ASTM D 333, D 365, D 1200
DIN 53211* (was withdrawn i n October 1996)
DIN EN ISO 2431, ASTM D 5125

Flow Cup

For many applicat ions it is not necessary to know the absolute vi scosity of a paint or
varnish. A par am eter permitting a relative classification and estimation is considered
sufficient. The efflux time, measured in seconds, is such a reliable param eter. It is
determined usi ng flow cups of various designs. These cups hold a defined volume of liqui d
which flows through an orifice. The reproduci bil ity of such measurements depends on:

∞ The accuracy of the si ze of the cup
∞ A constant temperature during measurement
∞ The Newtonian flow of the liqui d.

BYK-Gardner guarantees the accuracy of the size of its flow cups by using NC machines
for the manufact uri ng process, surface ref inement, quality control of raw materials through
the manufacturing process until shipment, and by examining every single pi ece using test
oil in a climati c cham ber. Sufficiently long t empering of the cup and test sample produces a
constant test temperature. For measurement at temperatures differi ng fr om room
temperature, the cup is put into a temperature control jacket, which contains a l iquid that is
heated up or cooled down by means of a t hermostat. The liquid under t est flows over a
thermometer, thus allowing the actual test temperature to be determined.
For efflux time measurement it is important to note that a cup can only produce satisfying
and reproducibl e results when used within it s defi ned viscosity range.

Flow cups cannot measure high viscosity liqui ds, pastes etc.

Flow Cup in accordance with DIN 53 211*

This cup holds 100 ml ± 1 ml and has an integr ated orifice with an orifice diameter of 4 mm
± 0.02 mm. The cup is made of anodized aluminum while the orifice is made of stainless
steel, with the interior polished.
For determining the efflux time in accordance with DIN 53 211* temper the cup and test
liquid to e.g. 20 °C ± 0.5 °C (68 °F ± 1.0 °F).

∞ Put flow cup in a precisel y horizontal position into the ring stand or temperature

control j acket

∞ Close orifice
∞ Pour in test liquid
∞ Draw clean glass plate over the rim of the cup, thus removi ng superfluous liquid

into overflow reservoir and closing the cup

∞ Open orifice
∞ Remove glass plate hor izontally and start st op watch
∞ Stop the watch with the fir st break in the efflux stream
∞ Repeat measurement three times each with a new sample of the same material

Generally, thi s DIN Cup is used f or l iquids of viscosities ranging from approx.
100 - 500 cSt (mm

Flow Cup in accordance with DIN EN ISO 2431, ASTM D 5125

The internat ional standard describes a process to determine the efflux time using a
4 mm cup with dimensions differing from the DIN 53 211* Cup. A longer orifice, less
tapered body and sli ghtly different inner dimensions provide eff lux times different from
those of DIN 53 211* Cups, thus extending the measurement range and making the
DIN EN ISO Cup a useful supplement to the DIN Cup. For measuring procedure see
description of DIN Cup. DIN EN ISO Cups are primarily recommended for international
use.
In addition to the 4 mm orifice, the DIN EN ISO standard describes 3, 5 and 6 mm
orifi ces. The most favorable measuri ng range f or each cup is:

DIN EN ISO Cup 3 mm viscosity 10 - 40 mm
DIN EN ISO Cup 4 mm viscosity 25 - 130 mm
DIN EN ISO Cup 5 mm viscosity 70 - 360 mm
DIN EN ISO Cup 6 mm viscosity 130 - 700 mm

Ford Cup in accordance with ASTM D 1200, D 333, D 365

The ASTM D 1200, D 333, D 365 standard prescribes 3 cups wi th different orifices:
Ford Cup No. 2 = 2,53 mm vis. at 25 °C 25 - 120 mm

Ford Cup No. 3 = 3,40 mm vis. at 25 °C 40 - 220 mm
Ford Cup No. 4 = 4,12 mm vis. at 25 °C 70 - 370 mm

For measuring procedure see description of DI N Cup. The efflux times measured should
not fall below 20 s or exceed100 s.

* DIN 53 211 was withdrawn in October 1996

2

/s), which corresponds t o an efflux time of 20 - 110 s.

2

/s = 30 - 100 s

2

/s = 25 - 100 s

2

/s = 25 - 100 s

2

/s = 25 - 100 s

2

/s

2

/s

2

/s