Shear stress versus shear rate and, hence, viscosity measurements for industrial materials are often difficult to measure using conventional rheometer geometries due the effects of particle size, particle migration, settling, and slip. It is demonstrated here that a four bladed vane is not only useful for yield stress measurement but is also a convenient device for the determination of the shear stress versus shear rate characteristics of industrial materials. The application considered is that of the vane in an infinite medium (a bucket) where the shear rate is precisely determined. Data for an alumina sample at two different states of dispersion and three industrial nickel laterite suspensions are presented to confirm the conclusion that a vane rotated in a bucket of fluid is a practical industrial rheometer.

Topics
Stress measurement, Mechanical stress, Particle size analysis, Numerical approximations, Surface and interface chemistry, Non Newtonian fluids, Flow boundary effects, Rheometer, Rheology and fluid dynamics, Viscosity measurements
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© 2007 The Society of Rheology.
2007
The Society of Rheology
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