The torsional waveguide viscosity probe: design and anomalous behavior

This paper is concerned with the design of viscosity sensors based on a torsional waveguide. The advantages of using guided wave attenuation instead of speed for viscosity estimation are established. The effects of probe material, dimensions, and operating frequency on viscosity measurement are discussed in the context of a requirement to match the measured attenuation to the range of viscosity values that are to be measured, given the constraints on measurability imposed by the overall signal and noise conditions. A prototype probe is shown to work well with Newtonian liquids but to appreciably underestimate the viscosities of polymeric oils; these anomalies are explained quantitatively on the basis of a model of intramolecular relaxation. The probe was unsuccessful when applied to slurries, and a basic explanation is given.