shear rate

Shear rate is a measure of how quickly layers of fluid slide past each other. Imagine stirring a thick sauce: the part near the spoon moves faster than the part farther away. This difference in movement creates shear. Shear rate quantifies this movement, typically expressed in units like reciprocal seconds (s⁻¹). In practical terms, it helps describe how fluids flow, impacting various applications from paint and cosmetics to blood flow in the body. Higher shear rates indicate faster movement between layers, which can affect how materials behave under stress or when processed.