Meaning
Time-dependent rheological property where a material becomes less viscous under constant shear stress and recovers its viscosity over a period of rest. Presence of thixotropy allows complex fluids to flow easily during mixing or spraying and then thicken into a semi-solid state once stationary. This characteristic is a design target for high-quality inks, coatings and industrial lubricants.
Shear Sensitivity
Breakdown of internal structure happens progressively as the work is applied. In the case of thixotropy, the reduction in resistance is not instantaneous but follows a decay curve unique to the material formulation. Once the mechanical energy is withdrawn, the molecules or particles rebuild their network to restore the original thickness.
Settling Resistance
Solid components remain suspended when the static viscosity is sufficiently high.
Industrial Stability
Formulators use the duration of this recovery to ensure consistency in batch production and ease of application for the end user. When thixotropy is properly controlled, it prevents the separation of pigment from resin during storage. These behaviors define how long a batch can sit in a holding tank before requiring re-agitation.
Selecting the wrong recovery rate leads to either clogged pumps or excessive running of the fluid after it reaches the target substrate. Accurate rheological data provides the basis for successful material transport throughout the factory.
