VISCOSITIES OF NEWTONIAN & NON-NEWTONIAN LIQUIDS

Abstract
This experiment aims to determine the viscosities of two fluids, Glycerol and gelatinized starch
and investigate the effect of different shear rates on viscosity of fluids in different temperatures.
The experiment also provided the model parameters of Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids.
HAAKE rotational viscometer model VT550 was used to determine viscosity of both fluids. In a
desired temperature, the spindle was rotated by the motor at a given speed and torque to rotate
the fluid. Shear rate was calculated from speed of rotation and shear stress was calculated from
torque. With these, viscosity was computed for the fluid. The results obtained were as expected
in that gelatinized starch had higher viscosity than glycerol. Gelatinized starch showed the
characteristics of non-Newtonian liquid while glycerol showed the characteristics of Newtonian
liquid. The viscosity of gelatinized starch decreased with increasing shear rate but decreased with
increasing temperature and the viscosity of glycerol remained constant with increasing shear rate
but decreased with increasing temperature. Gelatinized starch is a thixotropic fluid based on the
results obtained.

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Newtonian Fluid
A Newtonian fluid is the fluid in which the shear stress, created by the flow, is linearly
proportional to shear rate. That means that the viscosity of the fluid remains constant as the shear
rate changes.

Fig.1

1.
 𝛕 = 𝛍𝛄
Where, 𝝉 is shear stress, μ is viscosity and 𝜸 is shear rate.
No real fluid perfectly fits the definition of Newtonian fluid. However, many common fluids
such as air and water can be assumed to be Newtonian fluid. Newtonian fluids are the basic
mathematical model for fluids that account for viscosity. Air, water and thin motor oil are some
examples of Newtonian fluid which have different densities and account for different shear stress
and shear rate.

1.2 Non Newtonian Fluid

Non Newtonian fluids are fluids which have different properties than Newtonian fluids. Unlike
Newtonian fluids, viscosity depends on shear rate. In a non-Newtonian fluid, the shear stress is
not linearly proportional to shear strain, the relation can be different and time dependant.
Therefore, a constant viscosity coefficient cannot be achieved. There are different types of non-
Newtonian fluids depending on how viscosity changes with shear rate.
 Shear thickening fluid
The viscosity of shear thickening fluid, also known as dilatant fluid, increases with increase
in shear rate. The more the fluid is stirred, the more it feels thick.
μ = m 𝜸 n-1 where n is more than 1.

 Shear thinning fluid

The viscosity of shear thinning fluid, also known as thixotropic fluid, decreases with increase
in shear rate. That means, the more the fluid is stirred, the more it feels thin. Paint is one of
the example of thixotropic fluid.
μ = m 𝜸 n-1 where n is less than 1.

 Bingham plastic
Some fluids have linear shear stress and shear strain graph but requires a finite yield stress
before they can flow. That means the line does not pass through origin. Such fluids are
known as Bingham fluids. Some examples are mustard sauce and mayonnaise.
𝜏𝑜
μ= +m where 𝝉o is yield stress
𝛾

2.
 There are also some fluids whose strain rate is a function of time. These fluids are known as
anti-thixotropic fluid. Such fluids require an increasing shear stress to maintain a constant
shear rate.

Fig 2. Relation of shear stress and shear rate of different non Newtonian fluids.

2.0 Methodology
HAAKE rotational viscometer model VT550 was used for the experiment.

Figure 3. Experimental setup

3.
 APPENDIX.
Results in Tabulated Form.

Temperature Viscosity Shear

Temperature Speed Rpm(1/min) (unit) (mPa.s) Shear Stress(Pa) Rate(1/s)
30 1 5 31.4 282.7 1.204 4.5
2 8.3 31.6 219.0 1.636 7.47
3 13.9 31.7 154.7 2.048 12.51
4 23.2 32.0 139.3 2.046 20.88
5 45.3 32.1 115.0 2.766 40.76

Temperature Viscosity Shear

45 Speed Rpm(1/min) (unit) (mPa.s) Shear Stress(Pa) Rate(1/s)
1 5 45.0 280.0 1.204 4.5
2 8.3 45.0 201.0 1.486 7.47
3 13.9 45.0 141.7 1.998 12.51
4 23.2 45.0 121.7 2.480 20.88
5 45.3 45.0 92.5 3.763 40.76

Temperature Viscosity Shear

60 Speed Rpm(1/min) (unit) (mPa.s) Shear Stress(Pa) Rate(1/s)
1 5 60.0 244.3 1.074 4.5
2 8.3 60.0 177.7 1.382 7.47
3 13.9 60.0 155.7 1.561 12.51
4 23.2 60.0 103.5 2.099 20.88
5 45.3 60.0 79.1 3.225 40.76

Table 1. Results showing data obtained from experiment for 10% Gelatinized Starch
Temperature Speed Rpm(1/min) Temperature Viscosity Shear Shear
(unit) (mPa.s) Stress(Pa) Rate(1/s)
30 1 5 31.3 557.3 2.585 4.50

2 8.3 32.0 414.3 3.199 7.47

3 13.9 32.0 452.0 5.836 12.51

4 23.2 32.2 470.3 9.804 20.88

5 45.3 32.3 480.0 19.710 40.76

45 Speed Rpm(1/min) Temperature Viscosity Shear Shear

(unit) (mPa.s) Stress(Pa) Rate(1/s)
1 5 45.0 238.3 1.152 4.50

2 8.3 45.1 226.0 1.767 7.47

3 13.9 45.0 237.0 2.841 12.51

4 23.2 45.1 220.3 4.633 20.88

5 45.3 45.1 220.0 8.985 40.76

60 Speed Rpm(1/min) Temperature Viscosity Shear Shear

(unit) (mPa.s) Stress(Pa) Rate(1/s)
1 5 60 85.1 0.486 4.50

2 8.3 60 109.3 0.793 7.47

3 13.9 60 92.0 1.331 12.51

4 23.2 60 89.4 1.945 20.88

5 45.3 60 92.3 3.737 40.76

Table 2. Results showing data obtained from experiment for Glycerine

 Temperature Shear Rate(1/s) Shear Stress(Pa) log shear rate log shear stress
30 4.5 1.203 0.653 0.080
7.47 1.638 0.873 0.214
12.51 2.048 1.097 0.311
20.88 2.048 1.320 0.311
40.76 2.764 1.610 0.442

45 Shear Rate(1/s) Shear Stress(Pa) log shear rate log shear stress
4.5 1.203 0.653 0.080
7.47 1.485 0.873 0.172
12.51 1.996 1.097 0.300
20.88 2.483 1.320 0.395
40.76 3.763 1.610 0.576

60 Shear Rate(1/s) Shear Stress(Pa) log shear rate log shear stress
4.5 1.075 0.653 0.031
7.47 1.305 0.873 0.116
12.51 1.561 1.097 0.193
20.88 2.099 1.320 0.322
40.76 3.199 1.610 0.505

Table 3. Relation between log shear stress and log shear rate for gelatinized starch
 Temperatur Shear Rate(1/s) Shear Stress(Pa) log shear rate log shear stress
e
30 4.5 1.740 0.653 0.241

7.47 3.199 0.873 0.505

12.51 5.836 1.097 0.766

20.88 9.804 1.320 0.991

40.76 19.710 1.610 1.295

45 Shear Rate(1/s) Shear Stress(Pa) log shear rate log shear stress

4.5 0.563 0.653 -0.250

7.47 1.024 0.873 0.010

12.51 2.253 1.097 0.353

20.88 3.840 1.320 0.584

40.76 7.910 1.610 0.898

60 Shear Rate(1/s) Shear Stress(Pa) log shear rate log shear stress

4.5 -0.204 0.653 #NUM!

7.47 0.127 0.873 -0.895

12.51 0.384 1.097 -0.416

20.88 1.126 1.320 0.052

40.76 2.790 1.610 0.446

Table 4. Relation between log shear stress and log shear rate for Glycerine
 Starch Temperature (K) Viscosity (mPa.s) 1/T ln viscosity
speed 1 304.8 284.3 0.00328 5.650
318.0 278.7 0.00314 5.630
333.0 244.0 0.00300 5.497
speed 2 305.4 219.0 0.00327 5.389
318.1 201.7 0.00314 5.307
333.0 177.7 0.00300 5.180
speed 3 305.9 155.0 0.00327 5.043
318.1 141.0 0.00314 4.949
333.0 157.0 0.00300 5.056
speed 4 306.1 140.7 0.00327 4.946
318.1 121.0 0.00314 4.796
333.0 102.5 0.00300 4.630
speed 5 306.2 112.3 0.00327 4.721
318.1 92.9 0.00314 4.532
333.0 79.1 0.00300 4.371
Table 5. Relation between ln viscosity and 1/T for gelatinized starch

Glycerin Temperature (K) Viscosity 1/T ln viscosity

(mPa.s)
speed 1 304.5 375.0 0.003284 5.927
318.0 119.0 0.003145 4.779
333.0 0.0 0.003003 #NUM!
speed 2 305.0 414.3 0.003279 6.027
318.0 150.3 0.003145 5.013
333.0 13.6 0.003003 2.613
speed 3 305.0 452.0 0.003278 6.114
318.0 153.0 0.003145 5.030
333.0 20.4 0.003003 3.016
speed 4 305.2 470.3 0.003277 6.153
318.0 177.3 0.003145 5.178
333.0 47.8 0.003003 3.866
speed 5 305.3 480.0 0.003276 6.174
318.0 192.0 0.003145 5.257
333.0 67.2 0.003003 4.207
Table 6. Relation between ln viscosity and 1/T for Glycerine