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id you know that these everyday objects have the superpower of becoming thicker?
In our daily lives, many objects behave in surprising ways. Especially in fluid mechanics, the viscosity of the fluid is not fixed. The viscosity of some fluids changes over time, a phenomenon known as time-dependent viscosity. The two main types of such fluids are "thixotropic fluids" and "rheological fluids," which refer to the decrease and increase in viscosity over time, respectively. By understanding the properties of these substances, we may be able to find better applications and utilization methods in our lives.
Thixotropic fluids
A thixotropic fluid is a non-Newtonian fluid whose viscosity decreases over time under a sustained shear stress. This means that when these fluids are continuously agitated or shaken, they become more fluid. When the applied pressure stops, these fluids gradually return to their more viscous state over time.
Many everyday items, such as ketchup and yogurt, exhibit this thixotropic property, which makes them relatively thick when still, but quickly become fluid when disturbed.
Examples and Applications
In our bodies, the cytoplasm, the synovial fluid in joints, and some types of honey are considered thixotropic. In addition, some soil clay materials such as bentonite also exhibit this property.
In industrial applications, thixotropic fluids are widely used in casting processes, such as semi-solid casting technology (thixomoulding), which uses the thixotropic properties of certain alloys to promote better casting quality and reduce shrinkage and expansion. problem.
In electronics manufacturing, the thixotropic properties of coatings and inks ensure that the ink flows without over-flowing during the printing process, which is critical for accurate color reproduction.
Rheological Fluids
Rheological fluids, as opposed to thixotropic fluids, are very rare and their viscosity increases over time, i.e. they become more viscous after agitation or disturbance. This property may be related to the microstructure establishment of the material under continuous shear.
Examples and Applications
An example of a rheological fluid is certain gypsum slurries. When they are continuously stirred, the viscosity gradually increases. Additionally, certain materials used for lubrication also fall into this category.
Currently, research into rheological materials is ongoing, especially in shockproof materials and armor, and in the future these materials may offer significant advantages in a variety of fields.
Applications in fluid dynamics
Whether it is thixotropic or rheological fluids, understanding their basic properties has an important impact on scientific research and daily life. For example, the medical field may use the properties of these fluids to improve patient treatments, while industrial production will also become more efficient due to the application of these fluids.
From sports equipment to automotive safety, rheological and thixotropic fluids have applications in everything from sports equipment to automotive safety, and future research may open up many new possibilities that we are not yet aware of.
By delving deeper into the behavior of these fluids, can we find underutilized “thickening” properties in our daily lives that can improve our products and technologies?
