The spreading of small liquid drops over thin and thick porous layers (dry or saturated with the same liquid) has been investigated in the case of both complete wetting (silicone oils of different viscosities) and partial wetting (aqueous SDS solutions of different concentrations). Consideration has been carried out from both experimental and theoretical points of view. Nitrocellulose membranes of different porosity and averaged pore size were used as a model of thin porous layers, glass and metal filters were used as a model of thick porous substrates. It has been shown, that the spreading process follows the power law in time in the case of spreading of silicon oil drops over porous substrate saturated with the same oil. The liquid flow in the spreading drop has been matched with the flow in the porous substrate. Both the exponent and the pre-exponential factor of the power law have been predicted and compared with our experimental data, which shows the good agreement. An effective lubrication coefficient has been introduced, which accounts for an effective slippage of liquids over porous substrates. This coefficient has been both theoretically predicted and experimentally verified.

The flow behaviour of liquid metals (Sn, Pb and Sn-Pb eutectic) under different shearing conditions is investigated. Experiments were performed with two designs of concentric cylinder viscometers: rotating the inner cylinder (Searle) and rotating the outer cylinder (Couette). The latter technique is uncommon and the equipment was optimised with standard oils. The flow behaviour for the metals differs in the two systems. The curves of 'apparent' viscosity versus shear rate may be divided into two regimes: I. At lower shear rates (<200 s-1): a reduction of 'apparent' viscosity with shear was observed with both viscometers. It is suggested that the high density and high surface tension of the metals and eccentricity between the cylinders at low shear rates, leads to instabilities. Results at low shear rates were therefore discarded and further detailed analysis would be required for a fuller understanding of this behaviour. II. At higher shear rates: a steady, shear-independent behaviour of 'apparent' viscosity with shear rate is observed in the Couette system (upto 600 s-1) whereas in the Searle system the 'apparent' viscosity increases with shear rate (upto 2600 s-1). From hydrodynamic theory about Newtonian fluids, it is suggested that in the Searle type viscometer, the fluid is unstable and Taylor vortices are expected at low shear rates (~80 s-1). This gives rise to an increase in the 'apparent' viscosity with shear rate. Whereas, in the Couette type, the flow is more stable, resulting in a steady 'apparent' viscosity. This interpretation is consistent with liquid metals behaving as Newtonian fluids, but further research is required to confirm this. The author suggests further experiments, with the prime one being the investigation of the fluid with counter and co-rotation of the cylinders in order to observe more complex flows. The results are expected to have implications in the modelling of flow for liquid metal processes, especially the initiation of Taylor vortices under the unstable flow conditions produced by rotating the inner cylinder.

This diploma thesis is focused on introducing the mathematical and physical fundamentals of viskosity, density and refractive index of liquids and methods of its measurement. Based on available literatures specify review of areas in which the measurement of dynamic viscosity is used for evaluation the actual state of liquid materials. Discuss the possibility of using for example variables to determine the concentration of fat in milk and ethanol in alcoholic beverages. The sample of liquid to realize the practical measurements.