Home >> Products >> Industrial Specialized Testing >> Tensiometer / Goniometer >> Manual surface tensiometer
Manual surface tensiometer

Manual surface tensiometer

Model: TEN180, ASTM D1590

TEN180 Manual surface tensiometer is a liquid surface tension tester with mechanical structure, achieving fast and accurate measurements through physical methods. The instrument is exquisitely designed and easy to operate, suitable for fields such as petroleum, chemical industry, and scientific research, and particularly ideal for teaching demonstrations in college and university laboratories. Its core components include a torsion wire, platinum ring, graduated dial, vernier pointer, and worm gear, which visually demonstrate the ring method measurement principle through the mechanical structure. It can clearly illustrate the principle and process of measuring surface tension using the ring method, features a purely mechanical structure, is durable, and relatively low in cost, making it especially suitable for use in college and university laboratories and teaching.


TEN180 tensiometer adopts a sophisticated mechanical structure, composed of key components such as a torsion wire, platinum ring, sample holder, dial, vernier pointer, bracket, lever frame, fine-tuning worm gear pair, testing worm gear pair, and sample holder. During operation, torque is applied to the torsion wire through the rotation of the testing worm gear pair, which balances the torque with the surface tension of the liquid in contact with the platinum ring. When the torque on the torsion wire continues to increase and the surface of the measured liquid is broken, the angle of torsion of the wire is indicated by the vernier on the dial. By multiplying this value by the correction factor, the actual measured surface tension and interfacial tension of the liquid can be obtained.


General Introduction

TEN180 Manual surface tensiometer is a liquid surface tension tester with mechanical structure, achieving fast and accurate measurements through physical methods. The instrument is exquisitely designed and easy to operate, suitable for fields such as petroleum, chemical industry, and scientific research, and particularly ideal for teaching demonstrations in college and university laboratories. Its core components include a torsion wire, platinum ring, graduated dial, vernier pointer, and worm gear, which visually demonstrate the ring method measurement principle through the mechanical structure. It can clearly illustrate the principle and process of measuring surface tension using the ring method, features a purely mechanical structure, is durable, and relatively low in cost, making it especially suitable for use in college and university laboratories and teaching.


TEN180 tensiometer adopts a sophisticated mechanical structure, composed of key components such as a torsion wire, platinum ring, sample holder, dial, vernier pointer, bracket, lever frame, fine-tuning worm gear pair, testing worm gear pair, and sample holder. During operation, torque is applied to the torsion wire through the rotation of the testing worm gear pair, which balances the torque with the surface tension of the liquid in contact with the platinum ring. When the torque on the torsion wire continues to increase and the surface of the measured liquid is broken, the angle of torsion of the wire is indicated by the vernier on the dial. By multiplying this value by the correction factor, the actual measured surface tension and interfacial tension of the liquid can be obtained.

Manual surface tensiometer

Key Features

  • ​Working Principle
  • Standard
  • Structural Features
  • Application and Maintenance

The instrument applies torque to the torsion wire by rotating the tested worm gear, bringing the platinum ring and the liquid surface tension into a balanced state. When the liquid surface is broken, the torsion angle of the wire is displayed on the dial scale. After applying a correction factor, the surface or interfacial tension of the liquid can be obtained. The platinum ring uses specific specifications (radius 9.55 mm, platinum wire diameter 0.3 mm) to ensure stability and repeatability during the measurement process.

Manual surface tensiometerManual surface tensiometer
Platinum ringDu Nouy Ring method test


ISO 304 "Surface active agents -- Determination of surface tension by drawing up liquid films”

ISO 1409  " Plastics/rubber -- Polymer dispersions and rubber latices (natural and synthetic) -- Determination of surface tension by the ring method”

ISO 6295  " Petroleum products -- Mineral oils -- Determination of interfacial tension of oil against water -- Ring method “

ASTM D1417  "Standard Test Methods for Rubber Latices—Synthetic”

ASTM D1590  "Surface tension of industrial water and Industrial waste water”

ASTM D1331  "Standard Test Methods for Surface and Interfacial Tension of Solutions of Paints, Solvents, Solutions of Surface-Active Agents, and Related Materials”

ASTM D971  "Standard Test Method for Interfacial Tension of Oil Against Water by the Ring Method”

EN 14370  "Surface active agents. Determination of surface tension”

EN14210, OECD 115, ZB2025, GB/T 2960, GB/T 6541, GB/T 22237, GB/T 6541, GB/T 5549 etc.,

The entire machine adopts a fully mechanical design without electrical drive, including components such as the frame, lever frame, and sample holder. Its compact size of 240×270×325mm combined with a lightweight design of 4.3kg makes it easy to place and move in the laboratory. The dial has a precision of 0.1 mN/m, with a measurement range of 0-180 mN/m, and the vernier pointer design allows for clear and intuitive readings. The micro-adjustment worm gear enables fine operation, and the sample holder supports multiple types of containers.


Mainly consist in platinum ring, platinum torsional wire, stand, lever stand and worm wheel pair;

Manual operation, dial reading test result; 

Application Scenarios
This instrument is suitable for testing the tension at liquid-air interfaces (surface tension) or between different liquids (such as oil-water interfaces). In the power industry, it can be used for insulating oil quality monitoring; in the chemical industry, it can analyze solution properties; and in educational settings, it can intuitively demonstrate the forces between liquid molecules. Its purely mechanical structure makes it highly durable and easy to maintain, suitable for long-term use.

Operation and Maintenance
Before use, the level must be adjusted, and the platinum ring should be raised and lowered using the worm gear handle. After measurement, the platinum ring and sample container should be cleaned promptly, and the torsion wire should be stored in a relaxed state. The instrument does not require complex calibration; regular lubrication of the mechanical parts is sufficient to maintain performance. The specially designed lever frame structure effectively reduces operational errors.

Main Technical Specification

ModelTEN180
Measuring methodManual
Measuring range0—180mN/m
Min. dial scale1mN/m
Platinum ring radius9.55mm
Platinum torsion wire0.3mm
Platinum ring perimeter length60mm
Sample tray stroke25mm
Glass cup volume60ml
Dimensions240*270*325mm
Weight10kg
Package dimensions440*400*560mm
Gross weight23kg


Main Accessories

ItemQuantity
Frame1   set
Platinum ring1 pc
Torsion wire1   pc
Pothook1   pc
Glass cup1   pc
Documents (Manual, packing list, certificate)


Require More Customized Solutions?

We offer customization to meet your specific needs. Our expert team will collaborate with you to develop the perfect product for you
Customize Now

Beijing United Test Co., Ltd.