DSV Relative Viscometer

At the center of all Viscotek DSV systems is the Viscotek Y501 Relative Viscometer, that uses advanced pressure sensing technology and dual capillary design to directly measure the relative viscosity of a dilute polymer solution. It provides faster analysis, greater precision and less solvent consumption when compared to conventional glass tubes. In addition, the system is self calibrating and self cleaning. The Relative Viscometer is ASTM approved and its closed loop system provides greater operator safety.

Due to the increased sensitivity of the Relative Viscometer, a single sufficiently dilute solution can be measured so that extrapolation is not required and error is minimal. The Relative Viscometer provides a sensible and safe tool for the automation of solution viscosity measurements.

Typical applications include:

• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
• Polyolefins (PE, PP)
• Polyamides (Nylon)
• Synthetic Rubber (EPDM)
• Hyaluronic Acid (HA)

Operated using Viscotek's ARV software, the Relative Viscometer can be mated with a DSV Autosampler, a Semi-Automated Sample Preparation (SASP), or a Vortex Autosampler for increasing levels of automation.

Other components of the DSV systems:

	Automation options The Viscotek DSV has several automation options for sample throughput and sample preparation to give system flexibility for application or budgetary requirements.
	Viscotek DSV software The ARV (Automated Relative Viscosity) is a powerful software package designed to both control and acquire/process data from the Viscotek DSV system.

Technical Specifications

Measuring Principle:		Dual capillary bridge
Measuring Ranges:		0–20 cP (mPa s) or 1–10 Relative viscosity
Sensitivity:		1.0 x 10-4 Specific viscosity
Precision of RV Measurement:		+/- 0.1% Relative standard deviation
Typical Flow Rate:		1–3 mL/min.
Typical Analysis Time:		2–4 min.
Typical Sample Volume:		20–25 mL Analysis in duplicate
Capillary Dimensions:		Typically 0.02 in. ID
Shear Rate (typical):		1000 1/sec
Temperature Range:		15–160°C (NB: Below 30°C requires cooler)
Output Signals:		0–10 V

More information

	Featured presentations and application notes:
	Application communication: Intrinsic viscosity of polyethylene in TCB at 135 °C The Y-501 Viscometer is an accurate, efficient replacement for the glass tubes traditionally used in polyethylene solution viscosity measurement. The high degree of automation increases the precision while decreasing the labour and solvent exposure.
	Application communication: Intrinsic viscosity of cellulose in cuprammonium hydroxide The Solomon-Gatesman function is showed to give intrinsic viscosity without extrapolation to zero concentration required by the Kraemer and Huggins methods. Viscosity of cellulose is measured using an automated dilute solution viscometer and compared favorably to glass capillary results.
	Application communication: Dilute solution viscosity of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Viscosity of PET in OCP (Orthochlorophenol) and in 60% phenol / 40% TCE (Trichloroethanol) are measured every 5.5 minute automatically using the DSV. Excellent results are reported for both solvents.
	More application notes and online presentations are available to search for FREE in the Malvern Application Library and Presentations Database (Requires Free registration).