12/18/2019 Viscosity of Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluids

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How it Works Viscosity Basics Newtonian vs. non-Newtonian

Viscosity of Newtonian and non-Newtonian

Fluids
If you are on this site, you probably have a general idea about what is viscosity and how important it
is in the development of any application that involves fluid flow. However, fluid characterization is far
more deep and complex than what is usually expected. Each unique material has its own behavior
when subjected to flow, deformation or stress.

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Newtonian vs Non-Newtonian

Depending on their viscosity behavior as a function of shear rate, stress, deformation history..., fluids
are characterized as Newtonian or non-Newtonian.

Newtonian Fluids
Newtonian fluids are named after Sir Issac Newton (1642 - 1726) who described the flow behavior
of fluids with a simple linear relation between shear stress [mPa] and shear rate [1/s]. This relationship
is now known as Newton's Law of Viscosity, where the proportionality constant η is the viscosity [mPa-
s] of the fluid:

Some examples of Newtonian fluids include water, organic solvents, and honey. For those fluids
viscosity is only dependent on temperature. As a result, if we look at a plot of shear stress versus
shear rate (See Figure 1) we can see a linear increase in stress with increasing shear rates, where the
slope is given by the viscosity of the fluid. This means that the viscosity of Newtonian fluids will remain
a constant (see Figure 2) no matter how fast they are forced to flow through a pipe or channel (i.e.
viscosity is independent of the rate of shear).

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An exception to the rule is Bingham plastics, which are

fluids that require a minimum stress to be applied before
they flow. These are strictly non-Newtonian, but once the
flow starts they behave essentially as Newtonian fluids (i.e.
shear stress is linear with shear rate). A great example of
this kind of behavior is mayonnaise.

Newtonian fluids are normally comprised of small isotropic

(symmetric in shape and properties) molecules that are not
oriented by flow. However, it is also possible to have
Newtonian behavior with large anisotropic molecules. For
example, low concentration protein or polymer solutions
might display a constant viscosity regardless of shear rate.
It is also possible for some samples to display Newtonian
behavior at low shear rates with a plateau known as the
zero shear viscosity region.

Non-Newtonian Fluids
In reality most fluids are non-Newtonian, which means that
their viscosity is dependent on shear rate (Shear Thinning
or Thickening) or the deformation history (Thixotropic
fluids). In contrast to Newtonian fluids, non-Newtonian
fluids display either a non-linear relation between shear

stress and shear rate (see Figure 1),

have a yield stress, or viscosity that is
dependent on time or deformation history
(or a combination of all the above!).

A fluid is shear thickening if the viscosity

of the fluid increases as the shear rate
increases (see Figure 2). A common
example of shear thickening fluids is a
mixture of cornstarch and water. You
have probably seen examples of this on
TV or the internet, where people can run
over this kind of solutions and yet, they
will sink if they stand still. Fluids are
shear thinning if the viscosity decreases
as the shear rate increases. Shear
thinning fluids, also known as pseudo-
plastics, are ubiquitous in industrial and
biological processes. Common examples
include ketchup, paints and blood.

Non-Newtonian behavior of fluids can be

caused by several factors, all of them related to structural reorganization of the fluid molecules due to
flow. In polymer melts and solutions, it is the alignment of the highly anisotropic chains what results in
a decreased viscosity. In colloids, it is the segregation of the different phases in the flow that causes a
shear thinning behavior.

Why Should I Care?

Fluid flow is highly dependent on the viscosity of fluids. At the same time for a non-Newtonian fluid, the
viscosity is determined by the flow characteristics . Looking at Figure 3, you can observe three very

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different velocity profiles depending on the fluid

behavior. For all these fluids, the shear rate at
the walls (i.e. the slope of the velocity profile near
the wall) is going to determine viscosity.
Successful characterization of viscosity is key in
determining if a fluid is Newtonian or non-
Newtonian, and what range of shear rates needs
to be considered for an specific application. Many
viscometers on the market measure index
viscosity but often lack proper characterization of
shear rate and absolute or true
viscosity. Absolute viscosity is one of the most
important parameters in the development and
modeling of applications that involve fluid flow.
Therefore, proper characterization of viscosity
must be carried out at a shear rate that is
relevant to the specific process. Learn more
about RheoSense viscometers and how they
allow measurements of true viscosity over a wide range of shear rates.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE BASICS ABOUT VISCOSITY, CHECK OUT OUR
BASICS SITES ABOUT:
Viscosity Units for Dynamic and Kinematic Viscosity
What is viscosity?

Newtonian & non-Newtonian Webinar

Viscosity Fundamentals Webinar: Newtonian & non-Newto…

non-Newto…

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12/18/2019 Viscosity of Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluids

Flow behavior of complex fluids is traditionally characterized through the distinction between Newtonian and
non-Newtonian based on each fluid's viscosity dependence on the rate of deformation and the rate of shear
rate. Proper understanding of rheological properties such as shear stress, shear strain, and shear rate are vital
in practical applications such as inkjet printing, protein formulations/injections, and food/beverage
manufacturing.

RheoSense’s webinar explains the differences between Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids and covers the
fundamentals of viscosity using real application examples.

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Download Our Application Note: Characterization of non-Newtonian

Fluids

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12/18/2019 Viscosity of Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluids

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