1 Scope

This document gives information on an interlaboratory comparison for the determination of the time-dependent structural change (thixotropy) using rheological test methods. Thixotropy is the reversible, time-dependent decrease of shear viscosity η at a constant shear rate γ˙or shear stress τ.

This document provides examples of fields of application, in which important material properties can be characterized by the thixotropy. These fields of application include:

• effectiveness of rheological additives and thixotropic agents, respectively;

• stability of the structure at rest (e.g. behaviour when starting to pump);

• wet film thickness after processing;

• levelling and sagging behaviour (e.g. without brushmarks or sag formation);

• orientation of effect pigments.