Reliable and Accurate Gel Strength Measurement
Manufactured by our TQC Sheen paint specialist testing brand, the TQC Sheen Gel Strength Tester DV2400 is a precision instrument for Viscosity Testing of thick paints, gels, putties and semi-solid materials that sit outside the working range of conventional rotational viscometers. A rotating paddle spindle drives the sample container and generates a torque reading calibrated to a 0-450 g/cm scale of yield strength.
Used by paints and coatings QC laboratories testing thixotropic and structured paints, food QC labs verifying jams, jellies, dairy spreads and gelled products, pharmaceutical QC teams testing gels and ointments, cosmetics QC labs testing creams and gel products, and adhesive manufacturers checking putties and paste-form adhesives – the DV2400 is a cross-industry QC tool for materials too thick for a Krebs or Brookfield viscometer.
A redesign of the earlier Sheen 414N gel strength tester, the DV2400 replaces the fixed 2 rpm of its predecessor with a variable 0.5-5.0 rpm speed range – so lower rpm and smaller spindles work with the thickest products, while higher rpm and larger spindles cover lower-viscosity gels in the same instrument. Cutter grips, handles and spindles are supplied ready to use.
Why it matters
Repeatable yield-strength data for QC audit. 2% full-scale accuracy and 1% full-scale repeatability across the 0-450 g/cm range give paint, food, pharma and cosmetics QC teams defensible yield-strength readings that stand up to customer, regulatory and internal audit – not a subjective touch-based assessment.
One instrument covers thick semi-solids and lower-viscosity gels. The 0.5-5.0 rpm variable speed range plus interchangeable spindle options mean the same instrument tests putties, thixotropic paints and structured gels at low rpm with small spindles, and lower-viscosity gels and creams at higher rpm with larger spindles – so R&D and QC teams working across a wide product portfolio do not need multiple instruments.
Bench-top footprint, simple setup, four-line backlit display. The DV2400 sits on a standard QC bench, the 250 ml sample can loads magnetically onto the turntable, and the four-line backlit display shows the reading clearly – so QC operators can run a gel-strength check in under a minute, between other tasks on the QC bench.
The Importance of Gel Strength Testing
Gel strength testing is essential for evaluating the consistency, stability, and structural integrity of various materials. In food production, it plays a key role in ensuring proper texture, processing behavior, and shelf life. Beyond food, gel strength measurement is widely used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and adhesives to maintain product quality, optimize formulations, and ensure performance meets industry standards.
How the TQC Sheen Gel Strength Tester Works
The DV2400 uses a calibrated-spring turntable and rotating paddle spindle to measure yield strength:
- A 250 ml can containing the sample is magnetically fastened onto the turntable.
- The turntable is loaded with a calibrated spring showing an engraved scale of 0-450 g/cm.
- A flat paddle spindle (standard 4 x 2 cm) rotates at a set speed between 0.5 and 5.0 rpm.
- The spindle drives the sample container and turntable, generating a torque reading.
- The reading stabilises to indicate the yield strength of the material in g/cm.
Alternative paddle formats are available for a wider range of material viscosities and textures. Resolution is 10 g/cm across the 0-450 g/cm scale.
What’s included:
Each DV2400 kit is supplied with:
- DV2400 Gel Strength Tester
- 250 ml sample can
- Standard spindle DV2401: 2-blade, blade size 20.0 x 40.0 mm (H x W)
- Handle
- Level adapter set (½ pint, 1 pint)
- 240V/110V power adapter
Calibration oils and alternative spindle formats must be ordered separately – see Spares and Accessories below.
Compliance & Quality Assurance
Gel strength testing uses industry-standard methods rather than a single ISO or ASTM specification – each industry (paints, food, pharma, cosmetics) has its own conventional test procedures. The DV2400 delivers repeatable yield-strength data compatible with in-house QC procedures across the industries listed above.
Precision Measurement Instruments for Quality Control
At Industrial Physics, we provide a comprehensive range of instruments designed for accuracy and reliability in viscosity testing and quality control applications. Our selection includes advanced solutions such as the Sheen Rotothinner for precise viscosity adjustments, the Digital Krebs Viscometer for quick and repeatable viscosity measurements, the Multi-Spindle Viscometer for flexible, high-precision testing, and the Cone and Plate Viscometer for small sample volume analysis.
For applications requiring cup-based measurements, we offer a variety of options, including BS Viscosity Cups, ASTM D1084/D4212 Zahn Immersion Cups, and ISO 2431 Immersion Cups. Additionally, we offer a wider selection of viscosity cups to suit various testing requirements.
Spares and accessories
Genuine TQC Sheen spares and accessories for the DV2400:
- TQC Sheen Gel Strength Tester Spindles – interchangeable spindle range in multiple blade sizes and configurations, suited to different viscosity levels and product types.
- TQC Sheen Calibration Oils – certified mineral calibration oils for periodic verification of the DV2400 against reference viscosities. Silicone-free and ISO-compliant, available in multiple viscosity values.
Related viscometers
For materials outside the Gel Strength Tester’s yield-strength range, the TQC Sheen viscosity testing portfolio offers rotational and cone/plate viscometers:
Explore Our Knowledgebase for Insights
Our expertise goes beyond just selling instruments. We are committed to helping you make the most of your testing systems. Visit our knowledgebase to explore in-depth articles and videos on various testing methods and solutions.
Learn how to measure viscosity with different testing methods in our article: How to Measure Viscosity – Testing Methods. Watch our Innovative Paint Testing Systems – TQC Sheen Product Overview video to see how TQC Sheen products can enhance your workflow.
What happens after you enquire
When you enquire about the TQC Sheen Gel Strength Tester, our TQC Sheen specialists will confirm the material types you typically test (paints and coatings, food products, pharmaceutical gels, cosmetic creams, adhesives), the yield-strength range you expect, and whether the standard spindle covers your product range or you need alternative paddle formats.
For purchasing teams, we provide the SKU (DV2400), spindle configuration recommendations, quotation turnaround and the technical documentation you need for internal sign-off. The DV2400 is dispatched within 2 days from stock, so first-time orders can be planned into your QC schedule quickly.
Service, warranty and ongoing support
Every TQC Sheen Gel Strength Tester is supplied with a 1 year parts and labour warranty as standard – our Industrial Physics group commitment across all brands. Ongoing support focuses on additional or replacement spindles for new material types, calibration oil replenishment, and periodic verification of the calibrated spring against reference values. To arrange service, order spares or discuss calibration verification for your quality management system, contact our support team.
Beyond the warranty period, the Industrial Physics global service network provides advice on selecting the right spindle format for a new material type, interpreting yield-strength readings across product categories, and integrating the DV2400 into a documented QC workflow across sites and shifts.
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