RheologyIt refers to the performance of the flow properties of the coating when shear force is applied externally (such as stirring and coating).
Features:The rheology of coatings is described by a rheological diagram (shear stress vs. shear rate or strain rate) and is usually divided into two types: shear thinning (shear stress decreases with increasing shear rate) and shear thickening (shear stress increases with increasing shear rate).
Influencing factors:It is affected by a variety of factors such as temperature, shear rate, coating composition (such as resins, solvents, fillers, etc.), additives, etc.
ThixotropyIt refers to the ability of the coating to recover its flow properties after standing for a long time or stopping to apply shear force.
Features:The thixotropy of a coating is often described by a thixogram that shows the change in shear stress over time or shear history.
Influencing factors:It is affected by factors such as coating viscosity, viscosity recovery rate, and structural morphology.
Rheology describes the change in flow behavior and viscosity of a coating when shear force is applied, while thixotropy describes the recovery of flow properties of a coating after it has stopped applying shear force.Rheology is usually analyzed by the relationship between shear stress and shear rate, while thixotropy is assessed by looking at the change in shear stress after the coating stops applying shear force.Rheology is primarily concerned with the flow properties of the coating in actual operation, while thixotropy is more concerned with its stability and reproducibility in a static or non-applied shear state.