Capillary Viscometers and Brookfield Viscometers are currently used to obtain viscosity values for Investment Casting slurries. Both methods are performed periodically on small slurry samples. The use of Capillary Viscometers is an inexpensive method that depends to a certain degree on the operator’s technique. The Brookfield Viscometer is a rather sensitive and expensive instrument.

The following paper presents preliminary results of using strain measurements in rotating slurry tanks to continuously monitor and record the slurry viscosity. The suggested method does not require the time and attention of an operator. If a data acquisition system is already in use at the shell room, the capital expense for the system is not significant.

The collected data show the potential for the new system to replace or complement currently used methods. The strain data is proportional to Zahn-Cup drain times. The strain values also depend on the slurry tank’s rotational velocity and fill level. Both variables can be measured and compensated for using a mathematical model. An outline of future work is presented.