Carreau fluid

Carreau fluid is a type of generalized Newtonian fluid where viscosity, μ eff , depends upon the shear rate, γ ˙ , by the following equation:

Where: μ 0 , μ inf , λ and n are material coefficients.

μ 0 = viscosity at zero shear rate (Pa.s)

μ inf = viscosity at infinite shear rate (Pa.s)

λ = relaxation time (s)

n = power index

At low shear rate ( γ ˙ ≪ 1 / λ ) Carreau fluid behaves as a Newtonian fluid and at high shear rate ( γ ˙ ≫ 1 / λ ) as a power-law fluid.

The model was first proposed by Pierre Carreau.