Non-newtonian fluid

Non-Newtonian fluids behave differently from ideal Newtonian fluids, whose viscosity is independent of applied shear and whose stress increases proportionally with shear rate. In non-Newtonian systems, viscosity changes with shear rate: pseudoplastic fluids become thinner under increasing shear (shear-thinning), while dilatant fluids become thicker (shear-thickening). Plastic fluids have a yield point that must be overcome before they start to flow. In filtration, this behavior is important because pressure drop and cake formation depend on viscosity. Slurries with high solids content often exhibit non-Newtonian behavior. The design of pumps, filters, and pipelines must be adapted accordingly. GKD supports customers with expertise in rheology to design fabrics and process belts that ensure safe operation and consistent throughput even with non-Newtonian fluids.