A flow curve, viscosity (h) versus shear rate (g˙) ,
across a wide range of shear rates can provide important
information about storage stability; optimal conditions
for mixing, pumping, and transferring; and end-user applications.
It also provides important information regarding
the ways in which the structure changes to comply
with the applied shear in different conditions, such
as storage, processing, and application. The rheological
behavior of the material may change as a result of these
f o r c e s . If the shear rate changes during an application,
the internal structure of the sample will change and the
change in stress or viscosity can then be seen.