Viscometers: A Buyer's Guide to Select the Perfect One

Manufacturers are responding with more substantial investment in viscosity control. Recent research by FMI shows that the global viscometer market is projected to grow from $285 million in 2020 to over $587 million by 2031. This surge is driven by the need for lab automation, integrated data systems, and tighter control over production variables.

Accurate viscosity measurement improves product quality and speeds up formulation changes. It gives teams the data they need to adjust processes in real-time, reduce batch failures, and scale more efficiently, especially in regulated environments where consistency is critical. Let's take a closer look at viscometers and how to choose the ideal equipment for your R&D or production lab.

What Is a Viscometer, and Why Is It Important?

‍Viscometers are devices used to measure the viscosity of a liquid—its resistance to flow under specific conditions. Viscosity plays a central role in how materials are formulated, processed, and evaluated. It directly impacts product stability, application performance, and compliance with industry standards.

‍Used across R&D and production environments, viscometers monitor and control flow properties. They range from simple manual instruments to advanced digital systems capable of automated, high-precision measurements. Engineers, formulators, and quality control specialists rely on viscometers to validate product specifications, adjust formulations, and ensure batch-to-batch consistency.

‍Applications for viscometers (and viscosity measurement) span multiple industries:

• In pharmaceuticals, viscosity affects drug stability, syringeability, and dosing accuracy.
• In food and beverage, it influences mouthfeel, pourability, and texture.
• In chemicals, viscosity governs the application and performance of coatings, adhesives, and lubricants.
• In advanced materials, it supports the development of products with specialized flow and structural characteristics.

Some instruments, such as high-range rheometers, can measure viscosities from 10.5 to over 7.8 million centipoises (cP), which supports diverse formulations across demanding applications. Without reliable viscosity measurement, manufacturers risk product failure, process inefficiencies, and noncompliance with regulatory standards.

The Benefits of Using a Viscometer in R&D and Production

Viscometers offer many critical benefits, including:

• Quality Control - Maintaining consistent viscosity is essential for uniform product performance. A viscometer helps detect deviations early, reducing variability between batches and preventing defects, recalls, and complaints.
• Process Optimization - Monitoring viscosity under different conditions helps fine-tune formulations for better flow, coverage, and usability. This is especially important in coatings and adhesives, where application performance is viscosity-dependent.
• Regulatory Compliance - Much like how AI systems must now adhere to standards like ISO 42001 for AI management and accountability, many industries follow strict viscosity specifications set by organizations such as ISO, ASTM, USP, or FDA. Accurate viscosity measurement ensures product quality meets regulatory expectations for safety and performance.

• Cost Efficiency - Poor viscosity control leads to waste, rework, and excessive use of additives. Viscometers help optimize material use and reduce operational costs, especially when automated systems minimize manual intervention.
• Data-Driven Decision Making - When integrated with lab tools like LIMS, ELN, or MaterialsZone's materials informatics platform, viscosity data becomes a strategic asset. AI-powered trend analysis helps teams detect anomalies, adjust formulations early, and drive continuous improvement.
• Operational Efficiency - Modern viscometers with automation capabilities enable real-time monitoring and reduce manual testing. They accelerate decision-making and improve throughput in fast-paced lab and production environments.

Types of Viscometers

‍Choosing the right viscometer depends on the type of fluid being measured, the required level of precision, and the environment in which it's used. Here are the most common types and their typical applications:

8 Key Criteria for Choosing the Right Viscometer

Choosing a viscometer is not one-size-fits-all. Your choice should align with your materials, testing environment, and business needs. Use the following criteria to evaluate which instrument will deliver the precision, efficiency, and compliance that your workflow demands:

1. Fluid Type & Viscosity Range

Viscometers are designed for different viscosity levels and flow behaviors. Newtonian fluids (with constant viscosity) are suited for simpler tools like capillary viscometers, while non-Newtonian fluids require instruments that account for variable shear rates.

Example: A pharmaceutical lab working with aqueous drug formulations may rely on capillary viscometers, while a coatings manufacturer handling shear-thinning resins would need a rotational viscometer.

Buyer Tip: Identify whether your materials are Newtonian or non-Newtonian, and select a viscometer that can handle the expected viscosity range and flow characteristics.

2. Measurement Conditions (Temperature, Pressure, & Shear Rate Sensitivity)

Viscosity is highly sensitive to environmental factors. Some formulations require temperature-controlled or pressurized testing to reflect real-world use. For non-Newtonian fluids, the instrument must account for how viscosity changes under different shear conditions.

Example: A chemical R&D team evaluating synthetic lubricants would need a viscometer that operates under controlled thermal and pressure settings.

Buyer Tip: Consider any specific testing conditions your process requires, and choose a viscometer with built-in temperature or shear control capabilities as needed.

3. Accuracy & Repeatability Requirements

Accuracy refers to how close a reading is to the true value, while repeatability reflects consistency across multiple tests. Labs focused on compliance or product performance need instruments with minimal measurement variance.

Example: A lab preparing embryo culture media for IVF procedures must control viscosity precisely to ensure batch-to-batch consistency and maintain optimal conditions for embryo development. Precise lab processes like this are critical across IVF workflows, including advanced diagnostics such as ERA testing, where timing and biological conditions must be tightly controlled.

Buyer Tip: Review the instrument's published accuracy and repeatability specs to ensure they meet your quality thresholds—especially for batch release or regulated applications.

4. Sample Volume & Testing Frequency

Some viscometers require large sample volumes, which may not be feasible for rare or expensive materials. High-throughput environments benefit from instruments that can handle frequent testing efficiently.

Example: A food company testing multiple sauce formulations daily benefits from an automated rotational viscometer that processes samples quickly with minimal waste.

Buyer Tip: Choose an instrument that balances the required sample volume with your available material and testing frequency. Workflow automation may be essential in high-throughput labs.

5. Compliance & Industry Standards

Viscometers must support test methods recognized by industry and regulatory bodies to ensure data is valid for audits, filings, or certifications. Standards vary by sector and can dictate everything from testing methods to reporting format.

Example: A pharmaceutical company must use a viscometer compliant with USP <912> for drug formulation testing. In coatings and lubricants, standards like ASTM D2196 or ISO 3219 are commonly required. For food and beverage, ISO 12058 outlines methods for kinematic viscosity.

Buyer Tip: Confirm that your viscometer complies with the specific standards relevant to your product and industry. Instruments that support multiple testing protocols may be necessary in regulated or multi-product environments.

6. Cost Considerations & ROI

While lower-cost viscometer models may offer basic functionality, they can increase operating costs through manual processes, calibration needs, or data handling inefficiencies. Higher-end models often reduce the total cost of ownership over time.

Example: A coatings manufacturer that upgraded to a digital rotational viscometer reduced formulation failures by 20%, cutting raw material waste and production delays.

Buyer Tip: Evaluate not just the purchase price, but long-term value—especially if automation or integration can reduce rework or improve throughput.

7. Maintenance & Calibration

Routine viscometer maintenance and calibration are necessary to ensure accuracy and compliance, but they also contribute to downtime. Some viscometers require frequent servicing, while others offer low-maintenance designs.

Example: A QC team in specialty chemicals chose a viscometer with automated calibration checks to maintain productivity and measurement consistency.

Buyer Tip: If uptime is critical, prioritize instruments with self-calibration features or minimal maintenance needs.

8. Integration & Data Connectivity

Modern R&D labs require viscometers that integrate seamlessly with LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems), ELNs (Electronic Lab Notebooks), and materials informatics platforms. Manual data entry increases the risk of transcription errors, slows decision-making, and creates gaps in traceability—especially in fast-paced or regulated environments.

MaterialsZone's materials informatics solution consolidates viscosity measurements from multiple instruments and sites into a centralized Materials Knowledge Center. The platform applies AI-powered analytics to identify anomalies, guide formulation improvements, and detect performance shifts. Automated documentation supports traceability, streamlines compliance, and eliminates the need for manual reporting across labs and production.

Example: A process development team selected a viscometer with native API support to feed data directly into their ELN and informatics platform—reducing data handling time and improving visibility across experiments.

Buyer Tip: Choose a viscometer that offers reliable integration with your digital lab infrastructure to maximize data value and maintain compliance readiness.

Streamline Viscosity Measurement from Lab to Production

Choosing a viscometer has a direct impact on product quality, development speed, and regulatory success. Every factor—from fluid behavior to data integration—shapes how effectively your lab can monitor and control viscosity across R&D and production. As materials and processes become more demanding, making the right equipment choice ensures your team can maintain precision under pressure.

MaterialsZone strengthens how labs manage and apply viscosity data across the product lifecycle. It centralizes measurements from multiple instruments, delivers AI-powered insights to optimize formulations, and automates documentation to support compliance. The platform reduces manual errors, accelerates decision-making, and improves overall operational efficiency.

Request a MaterialsZone demo to see how it streamlines viscosity data management and your path from lab to production.