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West Virginia University

Study of the rheological properties of nomex fibrids

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Paints and caulks typically contain (spherical) fumed silica particulates as viscosity enhancers. A similar viscosity enhancement can be achieved by using aramid fibrids. Aramid fibrids are believed to form microstructures in suspensions because of the "space-filling" nature of their shapes and thus provide a convenient means of introducing desired rheological behavior for various commercial applications.;The flow responses of aramid fibrids dispersed in mixtures of corn syrup and water were determined in dynamic shear, steady shear, low shear capillary, and extensional stretching flows. Yield stress, strong shear thinning, thixotropy, and strong dispersion effects were observed, and these are consistent with observed equilibrium structures. Intrinsic viscosity measurements revealed Einstein coefficients about 200 times larger than the corresponding value for spheres, and this demonstrates their remarkable viscosity enhancement as well as the strong effect of dispersion. Large Trouton ratios observed during extensional viscosity measurement also prove that fibrids have a tremendous enhancement effect on suspension viscosity.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
MS
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
Year dc:date.available
2001

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Han, Long
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Rakesh K. Gupta.

Subjects

dc:subject × 2

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-2196

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
West Virginia University
Base URL
researchrepository.wvu.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Han, Long. Study of the rheological properties of nomex fibrids. Thesis thesis, 2001. https://doi.org/10.33915/etd.1193