The effect of temperature on the relative viscosity of human blood

Abstract

The effect of temperature on the relative viscosity of human blood was determined. Data were taken in a capillary viscometer, a GDM concentric cylinder viscometer and in a Wells–Brookfield cone and plate viscometer at 23° and 37°C. It was found that the relative viscosity is independent of temperature at high shear rates in all viscometers, but depends on the temperature at low shear rates only in the capillary viscometer. The reason for this dependence on shear rate is discussed. The reason for the dependence on viscometer type is not known, but the different type of shear field may be responsible.