Particulate size effect on the rheology of SiC-glass composites

The rheological behavior of SiC particulate glass composites was investigated in the present study. The nature and extent of flow modifications are addressed with respect to solid content in the suspension, temperature and dispersoid size. A transition from Newtonian to non-Newtonian viscous flow and characteristic shear thinning behavior were observed. With progressive strengthening and deviation from Newtonian flow, a significant loss in rate sensitivity occurred. The apparent viscosity of the composites increased with the concentration and size of reinforcements. The increase in viscosity is explained in terms of hydrodynamic/mechanical interactions between particles in the composites. (C) 1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers.