Rheological properties of polymer-containing aqueous aerosil dispersions

The rheological properties of two- and three-component systems containing a solid phase (hydrated aerosil), water, and a water-soluble polymer were studied under static and dynamic conditions. Gels prepared by the cross-linking of these systems with CrCl3 were also investigated. Minimal concentrations of the polymer and the solid phase necessary for a gel-like system formation were determined. The kinetics of the gelation was studied. The formation process of the chemically cross-linked gels was found to be determined not only by the ratio between the concentrations of the solid phase, the cross-linking agent, and the polymer, but also by the degree of polymerization of the latter.