The study of rheology attempts to determine how materials flow and change shape when placed under the duress of external forces.
What is Rheology?
An understanding of the fundamental rheological properties of floor coatings helps experts to predict the behaviour of their products and make professional decisions accordingly.
What Are Rheological Properties?
There is long list of rheological properties and every rheological property plays a role in determining when and where it is appropriate to use a particular product. Shear stress and strain, shear rate, viscosity, shear thinning or thickening, thixotropic, viscoelastic and normal force should be understood by tradespeople using paint or other coatings at work: to ensure they choose materials suitable for each site’s environmental conditions and pragmatic obligations.
Viscosity and thixotropic properties are the most important to understand when applying floor coatings. Viscosity is a measure of a material’s resistance to flow. Low-viscosity materials, like water, move easily when a force is applied to them. High-viscosity materials, like paint, tend to be thicker and require more force to move. Materials that exhibit time-dependent viscosity behaviour can be described using the term thixotropic. Paint can be described as such because it becomes less viscous and harder to manipulate as it dries over time.
Why is it Important to Understand Rheology?
Understanding a coating’s viscous and thixotropic properties gives flooring professionals the ability to predict the behaviour of paint. For example, understanding the large role temperature plays in determining viscosity permits applicators to control the temperature at their site before they begin work, or to add an increased or decreased amount of thinners or water in order to achieve perfect paint viscosity.
Contact A&I Coatings Today
All A&I products are 100% Australian made and are sustainable for use in a large range of applications. Our technical team is always ready to steer in right direction on your project Just call 1800 819 585 or email helpdesk@aicoatings.com if you have any questions.
