A&D SV-10 Fork-Type Vibrational Viscometer

Overview

The A&D SV-10 Fork-Type Vibrational Viscometer is a precision-engineered instrument designed for rapid, in-line, and laboratory-based viscosity measurement of Newtonian and mildly non-Newtonian liquids. Unlike rotational or capillary viscometers, the SV-10 employs the resonant frequency shift principle inherent to fork-type vibrational sensing: a gold-plated SUS304 tuning-fork sensor oscillates at a fixed frequency of 30 Hz; when immersed in a liquid, viscous damping alters the amplitude and phase of vibration, which the system converts into a calibrated viscosity value (in mPa·s) using a validated physical model. This method eliminates mechanical shear rate dependency, requires no moving parts beyond the sensor itself, and delivers stable real-time output without sample pumping or flow control—making it ideal for process monitoring, QC release testing, and R&D screening where minimal sample volume and fast response are critical.

Key Features

• Single-sensor architecture covering 0.3–10,000 mPa·s — no probe swapping or range switching required
• ±1% repeatability (standard deviation) across full scale, verified with certified viscosity standards traceable to NIST-maintained reference oils
• Integrated Pt100 temperature sensor with 0.1 °C resolution and automatic temperature compensation (ATC) applied in real time
• Gold-plated SUS304 vibrating fork ensures corrosion resistance, chemical inertness, and long-term stability in aqueous, organic, and mildly aggressive media
• Real-time data streaming via RS-232C interface; continuous logging enabled for trend analysis and SPC compliance
• Compact modular design: separate sensor head (332 × 314 × 536 mm) and display unit (238 × 132 × 170 mm) facilitate benchtop, immersion, or fixed-mount integration
• Built-in WinCT-Viscosity software supports data acquisition, curve plotting (viscosity vs. time/temperature), export to CSV, and GLP-compliant audit trail generation

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SV-10 is compatible with transparent to opaque Newtonian fluids—including solvents, polymer solutions, syrups, lubricants, pharmaceutical suspensions, and food emulsions—provided they do not contain abrasive particles >5 µm or entrained air bubbles (which must be degassed prior to measurement). Its fixed-frequency vibrational principle avoids wall-slip artifacts common in rotational systems and remains insensitive to minor density variations. The instrument complies with ISO 2555 (determination of apparent viscosity by vibrational methods), supports ASTM D7483 (standard test method for kinematic viscosity of transparent and opaque liquids by automated Ubbelohde viscometer) as a complementary screening tool, and meets essential requirements of IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emissions) and IEC 61010-1 (safety for electrical equipment for measurement). For regulated environments, WinCT-Viscosity enables user access control, electronic signatures, and 21 CFR Part 11–compliant data archiving when deployed on validated Windows platforms.

Software & Data Management

WinCT-Viscosity—supplied on CD-ROM and compatible with Windows 10/11—is a dedicated, lightweight application that transforms raw sensor signals into traceable viscosity records. It provides synchronized dual-channel display (viscosity + temperature), customizable sampling intervals (0.1–60 s), real-time XY plotting, and auto-save functionality with timestamped file naming. All measurement sessions include metadata: operator ID, calibration date, sensor serial number, ambient conditions, and pass/fail flags against user-defined specification limits. Export options include CSV (for Excel or statistical packages) and PDF reports with embedded instrument certification details. Audit trails record every parameter change, calibration event, and data export action—fully compliant with GLP and GMP documentation expectations.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing: monitoring viscosity of topical gels, ophthalmic solutions, and coating suspensions during batch release
• Chemical R&D: rapid screening of polymerization kinetics and solvent effects on solution rheology
• Food & beverage QA: inline verification of syrup consistency, dairy product homogeneity, and sauce stability
• Paint & coatings: assessing dispersion quality and shelf-life prediction via accelerated aging viscosity trends
• Academic labs: teaching fundamental viscoelastic concepts without requiring complex rheometer training
• Automotive fluids: checking brake fluid hygroscopicity and coolant formulation integrity

FAQ

How does the SV-10 differ from rotational viscometers?

It measures damping-induced amplitude attenuation of a fixed-frequency vibrating fork—not torque under controlled shear. This eliminates spindle geometry dependence, reduces cleaning frequency, and enables direct immersion in tanks or reactors.
Can the SV-10 measure non-Newtonian fluids?

Yes, for qualitative trend monitoring (e.g., gelation onset or thermal degradation); however, quantitative shear-rate-dependent parameters (e.g., yield stress or flow index) require controlled-shear instrumentation.
Is temperature control external or built-in?

The sensor includes an integrated Pt100 element for accurate local temperature measurement, but active bath or Peltier control must be provided externally for isothermal studies.
What maintenance is required?

Annual verification with certified standard oils; periodic inspection of gold plating integrity; cleaning with isopropyl alcohol after each use—no recalibration needed unless sensor damage is suspected.
Does the instrument support FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance?

Yes—when used with WinCT-Viscosity on a validated Windows system configured with role-based login, electronic signatures, and immutable audit logs.