Dilatant

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Shear rate vs. Shear stress

Dilatant

A dilatant (also known as a shear thickening fluid) is a non-Newtonian fluid where the viscosity increases with the rate of shear strain. This behavior is in contrast to pseudoplastic fluids, which exhibit a decrease in viscosity with an increase in shear rate. Dilatant materials are characterized by their ability to become more viscous or even solid-like under stress.

Properties[edit | edit source]

Dilatant materials exhibit a unique property where their viscosity increases as the applied shear rate increases. This phenomenon is due to the rearrangement of particles within the fluid, which creates a more resistant structure to flow. The behavior of dilatant fluids can be described by the following equation:

\(\tau = k \dot{\gamma}^n\)

where:

  • \(\tau\) is the shear stress,
  • \(k\) is the consistency index,
  • \(\dot{\gamma}\) is the shear rate,
  • \(n\) is the flow behavior index (for dilatant fluids, \(n > 1\)).

Examples[edit | edit source]

Common examples of dilatant materials include:

Applications[edit | edit source]

Dilatant materials have various applications due to their unique properties. Some of these applications include:

  • Body armor: Dilatant materials are used in body armor to provide protection by becoming rigid upon impact.
  • Vibration damping: These materials can be used in systems where vibration damping is required, as they become more viscous under stress.
  • Industrial processes: Dilatant fluids are used in processes where control over viscosity is necessary, such as in pumping and mixing operations.

Related Concepts[edit | edit source]

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]

Template:Fluid-dynamics-stub

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