Definition
The falling-spindle viscometer is a measuring instrument used to determine the viscosity of liquids based on the falling-body principle. A defined spindle (sphere or cylinder) falls through the liquid under the force of gravity, and the dynamic viscosity is calculated from the measured fall time. The method is based on Stokes' law, which describes the relationship between fall velocity, body dimensions, density, and liquid viscosity. The higher the viscosity of the liquid, the slower the spindle falls and the longer the measured fall time.
Use in the textile industry
In the textile industry, the falling-spindle viscometer is used to measure the viscosity of finishing agents, sizing compounds, print pastes, and dyeing liquors, as these liquids must remain within defined viscosity ranges to ensure uniform application quantities and reproducible results. The method is also applied in quality control of textile auxiliaries and binders used for coatings. It is particularly suited for medium- to high-viscosity liquids and is relatively simple to operate, making it well suited for routine measurements in production environments.
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