Brookfield DV3T Rheometer - Manual (Page 5)

Brookfield Engineering Labs., Inc. Page 5 Manual No. M13-2100
I. INTRODUCTION
The Brookfield DV-III Rheometer series has been the leading industrial rheometer since it was first
introduced in 1989. Brookfield has continued to develop and improve the DV-III to provide the best
value in the market for both quality control and research customers. The Brookfield DV3T Rheometer
continues in this tradition of innovation, quality and value. The incorporation of a full color graphical
touch screen display has allowed for a new and improved user interface which preserves the single
speed data collection methods while making all of the advanced features of the DV3T readily available.
The Brookfield DV3T Rheometer measures fluid viscosity at given shear rates. Viscosity is a measure
of a fluid’s resistance to flow. You will find a detailed description of the science of viscosity in the
Brookfield publication “More Solutions to Sticky Problems”, a copy of which was included with your
DV3T.
This manual covers the DV3T Rheometer and the DV3T Extra Rheometer. The DV3T Extra is a special
package that includes several optional features to maximize the utility of the DV3T. The DV3T Extra
includes: Ball Bearing Suspension (not included in LV versions), EZ-Lock spindle connection, Model
Q Lab Stand, and RheocalcT Software. These differences are detailed in the Components section of
the manual. All references to the rheometer in this manual will be made as DV3T. All of the optional
features of the DV3T Extra may be added individually to the DV3T Rheometer.
The DV3T offers exceptional versatility in modes of control, allowing choice of traditional standalone
operation and automatic operation through programs downloaded from the PC or with complete control
by PC using Brookfield RheocalcT Software.
• The DV3T can be used as a traditional Brookfield rheometer for collection of single speed
viscosity data through the easy to use touch screen; just select the spindle and speed and read
the value from the display. [See Section II: Getting Started]
• The DV3T can collect multiple data points through programs created directly on the
touchscreen display.
• The DV3T can make a direct measurement of yield stress when using optional vane spindles.
• The Brookfield PG Flash Software can be used to program the DV3T to control all aspects of
the test and data collection without the need for the operator to monitor the instrument; just
start the program and return to the printed test data (printer is optional). [See Section V: PG
Flash Software]
• The Brookfield RheocalcT Software will perform all control and data collection functions
of the DV3T from the PC while also providing a platform for advanced data collection and
analysis.
In any of these modes of control, the DV3T will provide the best in viscosity measurement and control.
The principal of operation of the DV3T is to drive a spindle (which is immersed in the test fluid)
through a calibrated spring. The viscous drag of the fluid against the spindle is measured by the spring
deflection. Spring deflection is measured with a rotary transducer. The measurement range of a DV3T
(in centipoise or milliPascal•seconds) is determined by the rotational speed of the spindle, the size and
shape of the spindle, the container the spindle is rotating in, and the full scale torque of the calibrated
spring.
There are four basic spring torque series offered by Brookfield:
Spring Torque
Model dyne•cm milliNewton•m
DV3TLV 673.7 0.0673
DV3TRV 7,187.0 0.7187
DV3THA 14,374.0 1.4374
DV3THB 57,496.0 5.7496
The higher the torque calibration, the higher the measurement range. The measurement range for each
torque calibration may be found in Appendix B.