Flow mechanisms in dense silica-metal oxide-water suspensions

The rheological properties of dense silica in water suspensions (approx. 50% solids by volume) containing additions of metal oxides were examined. Metal oxides used were ferric, zinc and stannic. To prevent settling, testing was performed in a rheometer which was modified to provide for continual stirring of the materials. Relatively small oxide additions had the effect of thickening the mixtures and making them non-Newtonian. Different rate-limiting steps for flow were identified depending on the particular mixture, testing temperature and shear strain rate. Flow could be described using empirical equations which are identical to those often used to describe plastic flow in solid crystalline materials.