I checked my copy of the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics Ed. 52,
1971 -1972, and the definition hasn't changed. One comment I would make
is that this means that Baume is not a measure of viscosity. Specific
gravity is a measure of relative concentrations of a solution with
respect to pure water (specific gravity of 1). From the CRC Handbook:
Specific Gravity - The ratio of the mass of a body to the mass of an
equal volume of water at 4 degrees celsius or other
specified temperature.
This is why there is a lighter than water (sp gr. < 1) or heavier than
water scale (sp gr. > 1).
Reading further in the CRC Handbook you find that viscosity is a measure
of a fluids resistance to flow, and is related to a materials internal
friction. This is expressed in dyne-seconds per square centimeter or
poises. It also says that the kinematic viscosity is the ratio of
viscosity to density and that the unit of kinematic viscosity is the stoke.
Definitions:
Poise = gm/sec*cm
stoke = gm/sec*cm*density
Based on this it should be possible to compute the density of the solution and
get to a measure of viscosity, but the more I think about it. I have probably
already pushed this too far. I'll leave it here unless anyone wants to completely
close this loop.
In a nutshell, Baume is a measure of the concentration of the gum solution not its
viscosity. However, the higher concentration of gum the more viscous the solution
should get. Having never worked with gum, I imagine that pure gum is a solid?
That would of course be pretty viscous.
- Wayde Allen
(74160.3410@compuserve.com)