Particulate Suspension vs. Particulate Gel

[rheomaster]

I have colloidal suspension consisting of a milk caseins (=mycells formed by several proteins). How can I use rheological experiments to determine if it can be described as a particulate suspension or a particulate gel? Since the volume fraction of the caseins is rather high, I expect in both cases a shear thinning behavior as well as a visco-elastic behavior like a Maxwell fluid. Is anybody having an idea how I can draw the right conclusions from the right rheological measurements? Thanks!

 

[Compositepro]

When you tilt the beaker does the fluid flow so its surface is level with the floor. If yes, it is not gelled. There are plenty of tests you can run. It all depends on what you want to know. Based on what you asked, a simple test is adequate.

 

[rheomaster]

ok, thanks, that's an easy test and should work for some kind of gels. However, In case that the caseins-proteins form a gel, there would be rather a weak flocculating gel and we have only a very small amount of material. What I am looking for, is how to read flowcurves or frequency curves obbtained from oscillation test to decide if it is a gel or suspension. Or what other rheological or non-rheological tests did you have in mind?