Coupling slip and thixotropy to model the transient rheological behaviour of kaolinite suspensions

The transient rheological behaviour of semi-dilute kaolinite clay suspensions is investigated. Specifically, the flow curve hysteresis and step shear rate tests are used to investigate the shear behaviour of kaolinite suspensions. We found that there is a coupling effect between thixotropy and slip that dominates this transient rheological behaviour. It appears that the onset of solid-like slip in the system is a function of wall roughness and interfacial phenomena between the particles of the suspension and the wall. The coupled phenomena of slip and thixotropy are investigated using the application of sandpaper, varying the gap, and using different geometries. To illustrate the importance of slip in this system, we propose a Coupled Thixotropy and Slip (CTS) model that couples a thixotropic Structure Parameter Model (SPM) to an existing slip model.