Flow cups are designed to accurately measure the viscosity[1] 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.[2]
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.
| Type | Orifice diameter | Viscosity range | Flow times | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BS FLOW CUP BS 3900 (1971) Old Specification (B2) BS 3900 (1971) Old Specification (B3) BS 3900 (1971) Old Specification (B4) BS 3900 (1971) Old Specification (B5) BS 3900 (1971) Old Specification (B6) | 2.38mm (0.09”) 3.17mm (0.12”) 3.97mm (0.16”) 4.76mm (0.19”) 7.14mm (0.28”) | 38 - 71cSt 38 - 147cSt 71 - 455cSt 299 - 781cSt 781 - 1650cSt | 30 - 300 secs | ||
| DIN FLOW CUP Din Flow Cup (2mm) - Din 53211 Din Flow Cup (4mm) - Din 53211 Din Flow Cup (6mm) - Din 53211 Din Flow Cup (8mm) - Din 53211 The orifices are manufactured from stainless steel. | 2mm (0.08”) 4mm (0.16”) 6mm (0.24”) 8mm (0.31”) | 15 - 30cSt 112 - 685cSt 550 - 1500cSt 1200 - 3000cSt (approximately) | 25 - 150 secs | ||
| FORD FLOW CUP Ford Flow Cup No 1 - ASTM D1200[3] Ford Flow Cup No 2 - ASTM D1200 Ford Flow Cup No 3 - ASTM D1200 Ford Flow Cup No 4 - ASTM D1200 Ford Flow Cup No 5 - ASTM D1200 The orifices are manufactured from stainless steel. | 2.1mm (0.08”) 2.8mm (0.11”) 3.4mm (0.13”) 4.1mm (0.16”) 5.8mm (0.23”) | 10 - 35cSt 25 - 120cSt 49 - 220cSt 70 - 370cSt 200 - 1200cSt | 55 - 100 secs 40 - 100 secs 30 - 100 secs 30 - 100 secs 30 - 100 secs | ||
| ISO/ASTM FLOW CUP Flow Cups to BS EN ISO 2431,[4] ASTM D5125 Flow Cups to BS EN ISO 2431, ASTM D5125 Flow Cups to BS EN ISO 2431, ASTM D5125 Flow Cups to BS EN ISO 2431, ASTM D5125 Flow Cups to BS EN ISO 2431, ASTM D5125 The orifices are manufactured from stainless steel. | 3mm (0.12”) 4mm (0.16”) 5mm (0.20”) 6mm (0.24”) 8mm (0.31”) | 7 - 42cSt 35 - 135cSt 91 - 325cSt 188 - 684cSt 600 - 2000cSt | 30 - 100 secs | ||
| AFNOR FLOW CUP Afnor Flow Cup - 2.5mm - NF T30-014 Afnor Flow Cup - 4mm - NF T30-014 Afnor Flow Cup - 6mm - NF T30-014 Afnor Flow Cup - 8mm - NF T30-014 | 2.5mm (0.10”) 4mm (0.16”) 6mm (0.24”) 8mm (0.31”) | 5 - 140cSt 50 - 1100cSt 510 - 5100cSt 700 - 11500cSt | 30 - 100 secs | ||
| FRIKMAR FLOW CUP Frikmar Flow Cup 2mm Frikmar Flow Cup 4mm Frikmar Flow Cup 6mm Frikmar Flow Cup 8mm The orifices are manufactured from stainless steel. | 2mm (0.08”) 4mm (0.16”) 6mm (0.24”) 8mm (0.31”) | 15 - 30 cSt 112 - 685cSt 550 - 1500cSt 1200 - 3000cSt (approximately) | 25 - 150 secs |