A comparison of capillary and rotational viscometry of aqueous solutions of hypromellose

A comparison of capillary and rotational viscometry of gentle pseudoplastic solutions of hypromellose (HPMC 4000) by using only single-point value of viscosity is difficult. Single-point comparison becomes topical in consequence to the pharmacopoeial requirement that the apparent viscosity of 2% hypromellose solution should be read at the shear rate of approximately 10 s(-1). This communication is focused on the estimation of the suitable shear rate, D eta, at which the apparent viscosity read using the rotational viscometer is numerically equal to the dynamic viscosity read using a capillary viscometer. For the solutions of HPMC in concentrations up to 2% w/v, the non-linear regression equations generated showed the influencing of the D eta value by the dynamic viscosity and/or by the originally derived linear velocity of the solution flowing through the capillary viscometer tube. To compare the apparent viscosity read using the rotational viscometer with the dynamic viscosity read using capillary viscometer, the exact estimation of the shear rate D eta at which both viscosities are numerically equal is essential since it is markedly affected by the concentration of HPMC solution.