THIXOTROPY OF HIGHLY VISCOUS SODIUM (CARBOXYMETHYL)CELLULOSE HYDROGELS

A general method to quantify the thixotropic behavior oi systems with very low thixotropy is proposed. The areas enclosed by the rheograms t au = f((gamma) over dot) must be fitted to functions with well-determi ned boundary conditions. From these equations the corresponding thixot ropic areas are obtained, together with the theoretical area enclosed by the rheogram corresponding to the maximum rheodestruction. The prop osed method is applied to high viscosity sodium (carboxymethyl)cellulo se gels.