ABOUT THE NORCROSS Viscosity Measurement with The Shell Cup

The conversion table indicates the useful range for each size.
SHELL CUP VISCOMETER The measurement is accomplished as follows:

1. Submerge the cup in the fluid for approximately 30 sec-

The Shell Cup is a simple,
reliable device for measuring
onds to allow the cup to come to sample temperature. The
sample must be representative — thoroughly stirred for ex- Product Overview & Viscosity Conversion Table
the viscosity of a wide range of ample, and at a known, preferably standard temperature.
fluids. Originally developed for
use with printing inks, it has 2. Lift the cup vertically out of the fluid, starting the stop-
found widespread applications watch as the cup breaks the surface.
as diverse as fuel oil and indus- Viscosity Sensors
trial finishes — for calibrating 3. Record the time required for the cup to empty, stopping
other viscosity sensors as well the watch when the stream breaks.
as for primary measurements.
The cup was developed by Shell Development Company 4. Read the viscosity from the appropriate conversion charts
and is marketed by Norcross Corporation. or calibration drawings.

ABOUT PROCESS VISCOSITY MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL

NORCROSS has been measuring the viscosity of numerous We can measure viscosity at different pressures, flows,
different processes for over 60 years. temperatures and viscosity ranges.

As shown on the front of this conversion table, we have The MP2000 can act as a controller and/or transmitter.
sensors for measuring viscosity in open tanks, closed Full two way RS485 communication is standard in the
tanks, pressurized tanks and inside pipe lines. MP2000. Optional 4-20madc output is available.

ABOUT NORCROSS SENSITIVITY AND ACCURACY

The 24hr circular chart, shown here, is an actual
recording obtained with NORCROSS Viscometer. Model M10 Model M20 Model M8B Model M8BO Model M24 Model MXBO Model M51
Reactor Reactor/ In Tank In Tank In Line In Tank True In-Line
This recording starts with boiling water 212°F/
88F/31C
.782cps
Sensor In-Line Sensor Sensor Sensor Sensor Applications
100C, which is then allowed to cool. 70F/21C (1-1m cps) Applications (0.1-100,000 (0.1-100,000 (0.1-7,000 cps) (0.1-100,000 (0.1-2,000 cps)
100F/37.7C
.684cps
.979cps (1,000 - cps) cps) cps)
1M cps)
The viscosity was recorded every three minutes
during the cooling period. A few measured temper- 141F/60.5C .465cps

atures, together with corresponding centipoise vis-

cosities, obtained from tables published by the
176F/80C .361cps

212F / 100C.284cps
Viscosity Controllers
Bureau of Standards, are shown.
64F/17.7C
This chart illustrates the outstanding sensitivity of 1.061cps

the NORCROSS Falling Piston Viscometer. This 58F/14.4C Shell Cup

sensitivity, which only the NORCROSS Process 1.159cps
Viscometer -
Viscometer can produce, combined with the sim- For hand testing
plicity and ruggedness of all NORCROSS units, viscosity in open
create a versatile and long lasting viscosity sen- tanks/containers.
sor/system. (1-1200 cps)

Win a free Shell Cup !

NORCROSS Viscosity Sensors and/or Viscosity register at
Control Systems are designed to provide years of NORCROSS Viscosity Controls VISC6000 VISC1000 Model MP2000 www.viscosity.com
reliable operation. 12427 31 Mile Road Touch Screen PLC Touch Screen PLC Adanced Programmable
Washington MI, 48095 Viscosity/pH Controller Other cups available
Phone 617 969 7020 within range
Fax 617 969 3260
E-Mail [email protected]
0.3 cps-7,000 cps
Bulletin V-1261-A Website www.viscosity.com
Website: http://www.viscosity.com
VISCOSITY CONVERSION TABLES by NORCROSS CORPORATION visit us at: www.viscosity.com
®

255 Newtonville Avenue, Newton, MA 02458 USA Phone: 617.969.7020 Fax: 617.969.3260 Email: [email protected]
CENTIPOISE 1.00 2.00 3.00 5.00 7.50 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300 325 350 375 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10K References
‘Ultra Low’ Cup 53 68 84 Notes

Shell Cup #1 17 21.5 26 35 46 57 A-2481-TAW / Note 2

Example: A sample which drains in 39 seconds, from a #2 Shell Cup, has a viscosity of 20 centipoise
Shell Cup #2 18.3 22 30.4 39 47 56 A-2482-TAW / Note 3

See Also A-4114-TW

Shell Cup #2.5 19 25 30 35.6 46.6 57 A-3225-TAW / Note 2

Shell Cup #3 18.6 22 28.6 35 42 48 55 A-2483-TCW / Note 3

Shell Cup #3.5 17.5 20 24.6 29.2 34 38.4 43 47.8 59.4 A-2666-TAW / Note 2

Shell Cup #4 18 21 24 27 30 37 45 52 60 A-2484-TAW / Note 2

Shell Cup #5 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64 A-2485-TAW / Note 2

Please Note:
Shell Cup #6 17.5 19 20.5 22.5 24 25 31.5 37.5 44 50 56.5 63 78 A-2486-TAW / Note 2

Zahn Cup #1 30.5 32 35 38 42 45 52 60 68 The USA Flexographic Technical As- See Note 1

Zahn Cup #2 18 19 20 22.5 25 28 30 34 38 43 53 63 72

sociation published a study by the Na- See Note 1
tional Association of Printing Ink
Zahn Cup #3 17 19.5 22 24.5 27 30 32 35.5 38 41 43 45 48.5 58 70 See Note 1
Manufacturers ( NAPIM ) in their June
Zahn Cup #4 17 18 19.5 21 22.5 24 26 28 30 32 38 45 51 54 65 70 See Note 1
1988 Issue of Flexo.
Zahn Cup #5 17 18.5 20 21 22.5 27 31 35 40 45 49 60 See Note 1

Ford Cup #3 32 37 40 43 53 63 73 83 93 103 113 120 130 This study compares and contrasts See Note 1

Ford Cup #4 20 22 25 28 35 40 48 55 62 70 76 82 90 98 103

the Zahn / Shell / ISO & Din Cups. See Note 1

ISO Cup #4 26 33 39 46 53 60 A-4004-T

Copies of this can be obtained by re-
DIN Cup #4 20 22 24 26 28 30 35 40 46 50 56 61 71 A-4286-T
questing Reprint 0142 from Norcross
AFNOR Cup #4 20 22 24 26 28 30 35 40 46 50 56 61 71 Corporation. File Notes

Norcross Cup #1 31 36 40 53 70 87 A-1920-T

Norcross Cup #2 19 23 28 34 45 55 67 76 A-1920-T

Norcross Cup #3 17 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 68 79 A-1920-T

Norcross Cup #4 18 22 27 32 36 40 44 48 53 57 61 65 68 85 A-1920-T

Norcross Cup #5 20 22 26 31 36 41 45 50 62 74 85 A-1920-T

Norcross Cup #6 19 22 24 30 34 40 45 50 55 66 76 86 100 A-1920-T

SSU 31 40 60 80 100 115 130 180 220 270 310 360 410 450 570 690 810 940 1050 1190 1300 1400 1520 1630 1745 1860 2330 2780 3250 3720 4180 4650 5820 7000 8000 9000 11000 13400 16270 A-6311-R

SSF 13 15 18 20 23 27 32 35 40 44 48 60 70 82 94 105 119 130 140 152 163 174 186 233 278 325 372 418 465 582 700 800 900 1100 1340 1627 Note 1

Redwood #1 29 45 85 340 765 1660 5900 7640 Note 1

Dudley 35 36 37.5 40 43 46.5 53 59.5 66 73 Bubble Type

Gardner Holt A-4 A-3 A-2 A-1 A B C D E G H I J L M P S U V W X Y Z-1 Z-2 Z-3 Z-4 Z-5 File Notes

Mac Michael 125 190 256 330 520 741 File Notes

Sears Cup 19 20 21 23 24 26 27 36 44 File Notes

Stormer 100 3 5 6 8 10 13 17 20 24 27 30 34 41 49 57 64 73 80 87 100 106 114 120 126 150 File Notes

Fisher Cup #1 20 25 30 35 39 48 File Notes

Fisher Cup #2 15 16.5 18 21 25 29 33.5 38 44 51 File Notes

B4 Cup 17 18 19 File Notes

M8BO - C Piston 746 744 744 742 742 740 740 738 738 738 735 735 735 735 735 735 730 730 730 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 720 720 720 720 715 715 715 715 715 710 710 700 700 700 680 680 680 680 680 680 680 680 680 Note 4

Notes: Note 2: This data is based upon original mechanical design of Shell Note 3: The 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 Shell Cup were introduced by Norcross different pistons ) - Contact Norcross for information.
Note 1: This data is based upon a table from Worthington Pump, Chemical. Equations in ASTM 4212 do not match actual values, as in the 1970’s to provide additional viscosity range coverage.
1956 which was based upon original test data no longer available. Not they were based upon prior data plots that are no longer available and Note 5: Data based on S.G. =1.0
all ‘Zahn’ Cups match this data. do not match the actual cups. Note 4: Typical piston size recommended for use in the Model M8BO Centipoise = Centistokes X S.G.
process viscometer ( witah length code C - other lengths may require Bulletin V-1261-A