The problem of viscous flow beneath a flat-end planar as well as a cyl
indrical punch was analyzed when the punch was pressed onto the surfac
e of a semi-infinite Newtonian fluid by a small load. The steady state
penetration velocity of the punch was found directly proportional to
both the punching stress and the size of the punch and inversely propo
rtional to the viscosity. The relation among these parameters was not
affected by the slip or stick boundary condition at the punch/liquid i
nterface. So this 'impression test' should be a good way of measuring
viscosity.