
Plastic viscosity is a unique rheological property exhibited by liquids, which describes the resistance of a fluid to flow. In other words, it is a measure of how difficult it is to deform a fluid. Plastic viscosity is particularly important in engineering applications, especially in the context of liquid transfer, pump selection, and system design. It is influenced by factors such as the size, shape, and distribution of solids within the fluid, as well as the viscosity of the liquid phase. The concept of plastic viscosity is often used to describe very thick substances like slurries and paints, which can retain their shape even after the application of force is stopped.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Plastic viscosity is a measure of the high-shear-rate viscosity of a fluid. |
| Rheological Property | Plastic viscosity is a rheological property unique to liquids. |
| Non-Newtonian Property | Plastic viscosity is a non-Newtonian property of a fluid, meaning it does not flow until a shear force is applied. |
| Impact on Pump Efficiency | An increase in plastic viscosity can reduce pump efficiency and may require more power or a more powerful pump to transfer the fluid. |
| Impact on Flow | Plastic viscosity impacts the flow of a fluid, with higher viscosity resulting in increased resistance to flow. |
| Impact of Temperature | Temperature can influence plastic viscosity, with higher temperatures potentially decreasing viscosity. |
| Impact of Diluents and Solvents | Adding diluents or solvents to a plastic fluid can reduce its viscosity. |
| Impact of Flow Aids | Using flow aids or mechanical shear can improve the flow of plastic fluids by reducing their viscosity. |
| Impact of Additives | Selecting appropriate additives can adjust the plastic viscosity of a fluid by changing its rheological properties. |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic viscosity is the viscosity of a fluid at a high shear rate
- It is a non-Newtonian property of a fluid
- It is calculated by measuring the difference between two viscometer readings
- It is an important parameter of Bingham's plasticity model
- It impacts the behaviour of liquids in engineering applications

Plastic viscosity is the viscosity of a fluid at a high shear rate
Plastic viscosity is a rheological property unique to liquids. It is the viscosity of a fluid at a high shear rate. This means that a fluid does not flow until a shear force is applied. Unlike Newtonian fluids, plastic fluids do not begin to flow until enough shear force is applied.
Plastic viscosity is often used to describe very thick substances like slurries, paints, ointments, grease, margarine, paper pulp, ink, and emulsions. These substances are able to retain their shape after the application of force is stopped. Plastic viscosity is one of the important parameters of Bingham’s plasticity model, the other being the yield stress (PV). The drilling fluid initially resists flow until the shear stress exceeds a certain limit, which breaks the inter-particle bonds present in the fluid. Once the fluid begins to flow, the shear stress and shear rate are linearly related.
Viscosity is a measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow. At low velocities, fluids flow through pipes in a regular manner with no vertical mixing across the wave front. This is called laminar flow. At high fluid velocities, eddy currents are formed, leading to random mixing throughout the flow cross-section. This is called turbulent flow. The velocity at which the transition between laminar and turbulent flow occurs is related to viscosity. Shear stress arises within the fluid because of the gradient of flow rates from the boundary to the centre of the pipe. Absolute (dynamic) viscosity is a measure of how a fluid resists the deformation of shear stress due to its inter-molecular friction.
Plastic viscosity is a critical factor in liquid transfer and pump efficiency. An increase in the plastic viscosity of a fluid usually results in the pump requiring more power to transfer it. This may require a more powerful pump or more power. Therefore, understanding and controlling plastic viscosity is important to ensure efficient and reliable operation.
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It is a non-Newtonian property of a fluid
Plastic viscosity is a non-Newtonian property of a fluid. This means that it does not follow Newton's law of viscosity, and its viscosity is dependent on the shear rate or deformation history. In other words, a plastic fluid will not flow until a certain amount of shear force is applied. Once the fluid starts flowing, the shear stress and shear rate are linearly related.
Newton's law of viscosity states that there is a simple linear relationship between shear stress and shear rate. However, non-Newtonian fluids, such as plastic fluids, have a more complex relationship between these factors. For example, the viscosity of non-Newtonian fluids can change when subjected to force. Ketchup, for instance, becomes less viscous when shaken, and its viscosity decreases further as the shaking becomes more vigorous.
Plastic viscosity is important in industrial and chemical applications, especially when dealing with thick fluids, paints, slurries, and drilling fluids. It is a critical factor in liquid transfer, pump selection, and system design, as it affects the flow properties of the fluid. For instance, a pump may require more power to transfer a highly viscous fluid, which may, in turn, require more energy to start the pump.
Additionally, plastic viscosity is a measure of the fluid's resistance to flow. To increase the plastic viscosity of a fluid, the size of solids in the fluid should be decreased. Conversely, to decrease plastic viscosity, diluents or solvents can be added to the fluid to reduce its consistency. Mechanical shear can also be applied to disrupt the structure of the fluid and reduce its viscosity.
Understanding and controlling plastic viscosity is essential for efficient and reliable system operation in liquid transfer systems. This may involve adjusting operating conditions, selecting the appropriate pump, and using heating or mixing equipment to reduce the viscosity of the liquid.
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It is calculated by measuring the difference between two viscometer readings
Plastic viscosity is a rheological property unique to liquids and has a significant impact on the behaviour of liquids in a variety of engineering applications. It is the viscosity that a fluid has at a very high shear rate, such as when it flows through a nozzle.
Plastic viscosity is essentially described as the resistance of a fluid to flow. It is used as an indicator of the size, shape, distribution, and quantity of solids, and the viscosity of the liquid phase. It is one of the important parameters of Bingham’s plasticity model, the other being the yield stress (PV). The Bingham plastic model states that the yield point is the shear stress extrapolated to a shear rate of zero.
Viscosity can be expressed in relative or absolute terms, and there are two types: plastic viscosity and apparent viscosity. To measure plastic viscosity, a viscometer is used in a laboratory setting. The viscosity measured by a viscometer is calculated by measuring the difference between two viscometer readings at different rotations per minute (RPM). For example, a rotational viscometer can be used to obtain readings at 600 RPM and 300 RPM. The difference between these two readings is then used to calculate plastic viscosity.
Plastic viscosity is an important parameter to consider in liquid transfer, pump selection, and system design to ensure efficient system operation. A higher plastic viscosity will result in higher pressure recovery, reducing the force or power of the jet. This, in turn, results in lower penetration rates as the bottom of the hole is not cleaned as efficiently.
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It is an important parameter of Bingham's plasticity model
Plastic viscosity is a non-Newtonian property of a fluid, meaning it does not flow until a shear force is applied. This is in contrast to Newtonian fluids, which begin to flow immediately upon the application of force. Plastic viscosity is often used to describe very thick substances, such as slurries and paints, which can retain their shape even after the force is removed.
Plastic viscosity is a critical parameter in Bingham's plasticity model, which is used to describe the flow behaviour of Bingham plastic fluids. Named after Eugene C. Bingham, who proposed it in 1916, the model is expressed as:
> Shear stress = (Plastic Viscosity) * (Shear Rate) + Yield Point
Here, the yield point refers to the minimum shear stress required for the fluid to start flowing. Once this threshold is crossed, the fluid begins to flow, and the shear stress and shear rate are linearly related.
Bingham's model is particularly useful for treating drilling fluids, as it helps diagnose problems with the fluid by indicating the nature of contamination. For instance, an increase in plastic viscosity suggests solid contamination, while an increase in the yield point could indicate chemical contamination or degradation. This model is also valuable in the oil and gas industry for characterizing fluids and measuring their properties.
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It impacts the behaviour of liquids in engineering applications
Plastic viscosity is a rheological property unique to liquids. It is the viscosity that a fluid has at a very high shear rate, such as when it flows through a narrow nozzle. It is essentially the resistance of a fluid to flow and is used as an indicator of the size, shape, distribution, and quantity of solids, as well as the viscosity of the liquid phase.
In engineering applications, understanding and controlling plastic viscosity is critical to ensuring efficient and reliable system operation. For instance, in liquid transfer systems, the plastic viscosity of the liquid being transferred will impact the efficiency of the system. A highly viscous liquid will require more force to transfer, which may require a more powerful pump or more power. This can affect pump efficiency, especially when dealing with highly viscous fluids. Therefore, it is important to select the proper pump system to maximize efficiency and minimize energy consumption. Different types of pumps exhibit different results when handling liquids of different viscosities. For example, centrifugal pumps are typically suitable for liquids with low to medium viscosity, while progressive cavity pumps are more appropriate for liquids with high viscosity.
The plastic viscosity of a liquid can be adjusted by changing its composition. For instance, adding diluents or solvents to a plastic fluid reduces its consistency and thus its plastic viscosity. The flow of plastic fluids can also be improved by using flow aids, which are additives that reduce the cohesion of the fluid, making it easier to flow. Mechanical means, such as agitators or mixing equipment, can also be used to disrupt the structure of a fluid and reduce its plastic viscosity.
Overall, plastic viscosity plays a significant role in the behaviour of liquids in engineering applications, particularly in liquid transfer, pump selection, and system design. By understanding and controlling plastic viscosity, engineers can optimize the efficiency and reliability of their systems.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic viscosity is a rheological property unique to liquids and describes the resistance of a fluid to flow. It is a measure of the high-shear-rate viscosity of a fluid and is dependent on the number, shape, size, and distribution of solids, as well as the viscosity of the liquid phase.
Plastic viscosity has a significant impact on the behaviour of liquids in engineering applications, particularly in liquid transfer and pump selection. For example, an increase in plastic viscosity will result in a pump requiring more power to transfer the fluid.
Plastic viscosity can be reduced by adding diluents or solvents to the fluid, using flow aids to reduce cohesion, applying mechanical shear, or selecting appropriate additives to change the rheological properties of the fluid.











































