Know Your Fluids

Included within these two categories are adhesives, epoxies and resins, silicones, solvents and volatiles, sealants, marking inks, solder cream or pastes, solder masks and various lubricants from oil to thick grease. The following examples provide a reference of viscosity: * Water 1.002 cps * Vegetable oil: 80 cps * Engine oil: 1,000 cps * Solder mask: 6,000 cps * Ketchup: 30,000 cps * Mustard: 200,000 cps * Pastes: 1,000,000 cps Note that ketchup is an example of a thixotropic fluid, or one that experiences a change in viscosity when it is agitated. Cyanoacrylates, for example, are "instant" adhesives that appear as clear liquids with viscosities from 3 cps to 2,000 cps and include three principal chemical components: methyl, ethyl and butyl.