ABSTRACT
Rheology is the science of fluid flow. Industrial coatings and paints are governed by rheological parameters, and a deep knowledge of formulation rheometry allows optimizing production, storage, and stability of the final products, also providing important information on their application and final properties of coatings, in terms of surface smoothness and homogeneity. Generally, paint and coating formulations behave like non-Newtonian fluids, showing different rheological parameters to tune and to be tailored for each specific use. Their complex mechanical behavior can be studied by rheometry, developing ad hoc continuous and oscillatory tests to calculate parameters of interest. Several empirical models can be used to fit experimental data, starting from more complex mathematical models involving stress and strain tensors, and time-dependent viscosity laws.
