THE RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF SOME SOAP–OIL SYSTEMS

Abstract

The flow properties of dispersions of sodium, lithium, and aluminum soaps in hydrocarbon oils have been measured over a range of temperature, concentration, and rate of shear using an extrusion plastometer. The variations of residual viscosity and coefficient of thixotropy, with temperature, are similar for all of these soaps. Abrupt changes occur at temperatures that are characteristic of the individual soaps. The variation of thixotropy with concentration is in accord with theoretical predictions, and axial ratios of the solid phase particles, calculated from viscosity data, are in agreement with observed values.