ABSTRACT
The viscosity of colloidal suspensions often shows a strong dependence on the shear rate, and this dependence is used as a means to classify the rheological behavior. Rheological measurements are widely used in the production of suspensions, slurries, and pastes with optimal properties for forming ceramics by colloidal-based methods such as slip casting, tape casting, and some additive manufacturing methods. They are also used for quality control in industrial production. An affordable concentric cylinder viscometer can provide valuable information for most ceramic processing operations. This chapter considers the factors that influence the viscosity of suspensions. In order of importance, they are the particle-particle interactions, particle concentration, particle size and particle size distribution, particle morphology, and the viscosity of the suspension medium. Understanding the effects of these factors is useful for preparing suspensions, slurries, and pastes with the desired rheological properties.
