Viscosity of Heterogeneous Silicate Melts: A Review

The viscosity of solid phase containing heterogeneous silicate melts is discussed in this review. The crucial parameters characterizing silicate melt structure are first presented, i.e., volume fraction of solid particles, particle shape and size. The measurement and calculation methods of these parameters are summarized and the influence of the parameters on viscosity is discussed. Next, a theoretical description of rheological behavior in heterogeneous silicate melts is given, focusing on non-Newtonian characteristics, e.g., shear-dependence, time-dependence, and yield stress. The viscosity models which were proposed in the last half century are reviewed and critically assessed. This paper concludes with opportunities and suggestions for future work.