Experimental model for non-Newtonian fluid viscosity estimation: Fit to mathematical expressions

Abstract

The construction process of a viscometer, developed in collaboration with a final project student, is here presented. It is intended to be used by first year's students to know the viscosity as a fluid property, for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian flows. Viscosity determination is crucial for the fluids behaviour knowledge related to their reologic and physical properties. These have great implications in engineering aspects such as friction or lubrication. With the present experimental model device three different fluids are analyzed (water, kétchup and a mixture with cornstarch and water). Tangential stress is measured versus velocity in order to characterize all the fluids in different thermal conditions. A mathematical fit process is proposed to be done in order to adjust the results to expected analytical expressions, obtaining good results for these fittings, with R2 greater than 0.88 in any case.

Keywords

• Mecánica de fluidos
• viscosidad
• Flujo no newtoniano
• Modelo experimental