Brookfield Thermosel - Manual (Page 11)

Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Inc. Page 11 Manual No. M/94-204-I0612
5. Using an extracting tool, put the filled sample chamber back into the thermo-container by
rotating the chamber until it drops and locks in place.
6. Lower the viscometer and align the thermo-container.
7. Lower the spindle into the chamber and connect the link and coupling nut (S-23) to viscometer
coupling nut by lifting the viscometer shaft up slightly while screwing on the S-23. (Note
left-hand thread). Check that the liquid level is approximately 1/8 inch above the conical
surface on the spindle shaft. Do not overfill.
8. Replace the insulating cap.
9. Turn on the temperature controller and adjust the set point to the desired temperature.
NOTE: The set point temperature will be denoted by a steady display on the
controller, along with the steady flashing of the heater “ON” light.
One option for sample materials that are not thixotropic or pseudoplastic
is to turn ON the viscometer motor and leave it running during the
equilibrium period. The rotating spindle provides agitation which helps
reduce temperature equilibrium time and temperature gradients within the
test sample.
10. After the thermo-container, spindle, chamber, and test sample have reached tempera ture
equilibrium, viscosity readings at different speeds may be obtained.
Samples That Are Not Liquid At Ambient Temperature
There are several alternative approaches toward testing samples that are solid or semi-solid at
ambient (room) temperature. The main concerns are: First - safety; Second - keeping test material
IN the sample chamber and OUT OF the thermo-container "well." The thermo-container can be
preheated without the sample chamber and test material if desired.
The following steps are recommended for taking viscosity measurements of test samples that are
liquid only at elevated temperatures.
1. The instrumentation should be assembled without the insertion of the sample cham ber,
spindle, and insulator cap.
2. Set the controller to the desired temperature.
3. Weigh into the sample chamber the amount of test sample which in the liquid state will
be equivalent to the test volume required. It is helpful to know the density of the sample
material.
4. Place the sample chamber into the thermo-container and proceed, following the steps outlined
for liquid samples at ambient temperature, starting on Page 6.