Flow cups are designed to accurately measure the viscosity[1] of paints, inks, varnishes and similar products. The process of flow through an orifice can often be used as a relative measurement and classification of viscosity. This measured kinematic viscosity is generally expressed in seconds of flow time which can be converted into centistokes (cSt) using a viscosity calculator.[2]

Flow cups are manufactured using high grade aluminium alloy with stainless steel orifices (where indicated), flow cups are available with a range of UKAS / ISO 17025 certified standard oils to confirm the flow cup is measuring within specification.

Type Orifice diameter Viscosity range Flow times
BS FLOW CUP
BS 3900 (1971) Old Specification (B2)
BS 3900 (1971) Old Specification (B3)
BS 3900 (1971) Old Specification (B4)
BS 3900 (1971) Old Specification (B5)
BS 3900 (1971) Old Specification (B6)

2.38mm (0.09”)
3.17mm (0.12”)
3.97mm (0.16”)
4.76mm (0.19”)
7.14mm (0.28”)

38 - 71cSt
38 - 147cSt
71 - 455cSt
299 - 781cSt
781 - 1650cSt

30 - 300 secs
DIN FLOW CUP
Din Flow Cup (2mm) - Din 53211
Din Flow Cup (4mm) - Din 53211
Din Flow Cup (6mm) - Din 53211
Din Flow Cup (8mm) - Din 53211
The orifices are manufactured from stainless steel.
2mm (0.08”)
4mm (0.16”)
6mm (0.24”)
8mm (0.31”)

15 - 30cSt
112 - 685cSt
550 - 1500cSt
1200 - 3000cSt
(approximately)

25 - 150 secs
FORD FLOW CUP
Ford Flow Cup No 1 - ASTM D1200[3]
Ford Flow Cup No 2 - ASTM D1200
Ford Flow Cup No 3 - ASTM D1200
Ford Flow Cup No 4 - ASTM D1200
Ford Flow Cup No 5 - ASTM D1200
The orifices are manufactured from stainless steel.
2.1mm (0.08”)
2.8mm (0.11”)
3.4mm (0.13”)
4.1mm (0.16”)
5.8mm (0.23”)
10 - 35cSt
25 - 120cSt
49 - 220cSt
70 - 370cSt
200 - 1200cSt
55 - 100 secs
40 - 100 secs
30 - 100 secs
30 - 100 secs
30 - 100 secs
ISO/ASTM FLOW CUP
Flow Cups to BS EN ISO 2431,[4] ASTM D5125
Flow Cups to BS EN ISO 2431, ASTM D5125
Flow Cups to BS EN ISO 2431, ASTM D5125
Flow Cups to BS EN ISO 2431, ASTM D5125
Flow Cups to BS EN ISO 2431, ASTM D5125
The orifices are manufactured from stainless steel.
3mm (0.12”)
4mm (0.16”)
5mm (0.20”)
6mm (0.24”)
8mm (0.31”)
7 - 42cSt
35 - 135cSt
91 - 325cSt
188 - 684cSt
600 - 2000cSt
30 - 100 secs
AFNOR FLOW CUP
Afnor Flow Cup - 2.5mm - NF T30-014
Afnor Flow Cup - 4mm - NF T30-014
Afnor Flow Cup - 6mm - NF T30-014
Afnor Flow Cup - 8mm - NF T30-014

2.5mm (0.10”)
4mm (0.16”)
6mm (0.24”)
8mm (0.31”)

5 - 140cSt
50 - 1100cSt
510 - 5100cSt
700 - 11500cSt
30 - 100 secs
FRIKMAR FLOW CUP
Frikmar Flow Cup 2mm
Frikmar Flow Cup 4mm
Frikmar Flow Cup 6mm
Frikmar Flow Cup 8mm
The orifices are manufactured from stainless steel.
2mm (0.08”)
4mm (0.16”)
6mm (0.24”)
8mm (0.31”)

15 - 30 cSt
112 - 685cSt
550 - 1500cSt
1200 - 3000cSt
(approximately)

25 - 150 secs

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Definition of VISCOSITY".
  2. ^ Viscosity Archived 2013-05-12 at the Wayback Machine. BYK-Gardner GmbH
  3. ^ "ASTM D1200 - 10(2018) Standard Test Method for Viscosity by Ford Viscosity Cup".
  4. ^ [1] ISO 2431:2011