Brookfield Falling Ball KF40 User Manual

SPECIALISTS IN THE

MEASUREMENT AND

CONTROL OF VISCOSITY

TEL508-946-6200

or 800-628-8139 (USA excluding MA)

BROOKFIELD ENGINEERING LABORATORIES, INC.

11 Commerce Boulevard, Middleboro, MA 02346 USA

with offices in

Boston • Chicago • London • Stuttgart • Guangzhou

BROOKFIELD KF30 and KF40

Falling Ball Viscometer

Operating Instructions

Manual No. M11-353-A0512

Brookeld Engineering Labs., Inc. Page 1 Manual No. M11-353-A0512

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................3

I.1 Components .......................................................................................................................................3

I.2 Specications .....................................................................................................................................4

I.3 Details on Viscosity Measurement Range .........................................................................................5

I.4 Description of the Equipment ............................................................................................................5

I.5 Safety Symbols and Precautions .......................................................................................................8

I.6 Cleaning .............................................................................................................................................8

II. GETTING STARTED .....................................................................................................9

II.1 Choice of Balls .................................................................................................................................9

II.2 Filling the Sample Tube ...................................................................................................................9

II.3 Temperature Control of the Sample ...............................................................................................10

II.4 Measuring the Falling Time ...........................................................................................................10

III.CALCULATIONS ..........................................................................................................12

III.1 Dynamic Viscosity .......................................................................................................................... 12

III.2 Kinetmatic Viscosity ....................................................................................................................... 13

IV. DETERMINATION OF THE NON-NEWTONIAN BEHAVIOR ...........................14

IV.1 Thixotrophy/Rheopexy ...................................................................................................................14

IV.2 Structural Viscosity (Pseudoplasticity and Dilatancy) ...................................................................14

Appendix A - Maintenance .....................................................................................................15

A.1 Exchanging the Sample Tube ............................................................................................................15

A.2 Exchanging the Water Bath Jacket .....................................................................................................15

A.3 Exchanging the Ball or the Viscometer .............................................................................................15

Appendix B - Calibration of the Ball Constants ........................................................................16

Appendix C - Warranty Repair and Service ..............................................................................17

Brookeld Engineering Labs., Inc. Page 3 Manual No. M11-353-A0512

I. INTRODUCTION

Falling Ball Viscometer, Models KF30 and KF40, comply with the German industry standard DIN 53015. The measuring principle, according to Höppler, is to determine the falling time of

a ball in a cylindrical glass tube lled with liquid. The working angle of the falling tube in the KF30 is xed in the DIN 53015 position of 80° relative to horizontal. The water jacket, surrounding the falling tube, when connected to a Brookeld circulating temperature bath provides

for precise temperature control of the sample.

The user calculates the dynamic viscosity of the sample by determining the falling time of the ball between the upper and lower ring marks displayed on the falling tube. Using data on the ball constants, the density difference between the liquid sample and the ball, and the working angle constant, a mathematical equation is used to convert the time measurement to a viscosity value in centipoise.

Note: The ball constants (forwards and backwards) and ball densities are listed on the test

certicate accompanying the instrument. You must provide the density value for the

liquid that you are testing.

The six (6) balls with different diameters and densities enable the KF30 to measure a wide range

of viscosities. The ability to adjust the angle of inclination of the KF40 extends the measuring

range for low viscosity liquids.

For non-Newtonian liquids, by subjecting the same sample to repetitive measurements with the

KF40 at different angles, pseudoplastic or dilatant behavior may be determined as explained in Section 7. Time dependent behavior (thixotropy and rheopexy) may also be noted.

The ease of operation and precise temperature control, using a Brookeld circulating temperature

bath, allows for very reproducible measuring results.

I.1 Components

Component Part No. Quantity

Falling Ball Viscometer: 1

KF30 at xed DIN position of 80° KF30 -

OR KF40 variable angle with position 80°, 70°, 60° 50° KF40 - Set of (6) balls with gauge (FB68) in a carrying case (FB22) FB21C 1

Supplied w/certicate stating diameter and mass of each ball

-Ball 1 (glass) FB1 -

-Ball 2 (glass) FB2 -

-Ball 3 (nickel and iron) FB3 -

-Ball 4 (nickel and iron) FB4 -

-Ball 5 (steel) FB5 -

-Ball 6 (steel) FB6 -

Ball Tweezers FB51 1

Brookeld Engineering Labs., Inc. Page 5 Manual No. M11-353-A0512

Wire Cleaning Brush for Sample Tube FB53 1 Brush to clean loose debris from Falling Balls FB52 1 Leather cloth for polishing Falling Balls FB70 1 Sealant ring (perbunane) A 16x20 FB31 4 Sealant ring (silicone) 10x14x2 FB32 1

Thermometer, 0°C to +100°C* TM1 1

Operator Manual M11-353 1 Instrument Case FB200 1 Latex rubber tubing, 5/16 I.D. x 1/16 wall FB69 1

Certicate of Calibration ____ 1

*Other temperature measurement options are available. Contact your Brookeld dealer for

information.

I.2 Specifications

Viscosity Range: 0.5 - 7x104 mPa•s (cP)

Falling Time-Lower Limit: 60 s for Ball No.1 30 s for Ball Nos. 2,3,4,5 and 6

Falling Time-Upper limit: 300 s

Materials with viscosity >7x104 mPa•s require running

times of over 300 s.

Measuring Distance: 100 mm (50 mm between adjacent ring marks) in both

directions

Fall Tube Inner Diameter: 15.94mm +/- 0.01mm

Set of Balls: 6 balls

Working Angle: KF30: 80° (DIN position) KF40: 80°, 70°, 60°, 50°

Temperature Range: -60°C - +150°C

Sample Volume: 40 mL

Dimensions: 180mm x 220mm x 330mm

Weight: 6.4 lbs, 2.9 kg

(empty glass tube and empty waterbath jacket)

Brookeld Engineering Labs., Inc. Page 6 Manual No. M11-353-A0512

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