Shear thickening characteristic of bimodal systems as against mono-dispersed systems

We study the rheology of bimodal in dense suspensions, a dense system of non-Brownian particles that exhibits shear thickening. The term shear thickening fluid (STF) is typically used to refer to the increase in apparent viscosity when the applied shear rate is increased. In this study we investigate rheological response of bimodal as against mono-dispersed nanoparticles in a STF system. Two size Nano-silica particles (50 nm fumed silica OX50 and 12 nm colloidal silica 406) were dispersed in polyethylene glycol in various compositions and compared with mono-dispersed STF. Results showed critical shear rate at which shear thickening occurs in bimodal STF is lower than mono-dispersed STF. Also bimodal system results in reduced amount of nanoparticle used. Higher viscosities are also attained in bimodal system

Shear thickening characteristic of bimodal systems as against mono-dispersed systems Keywords:

Shear thickening fluid , Nanoparticles , Bimodal , Monodisperse , Rheological response