Shear rate is defined as the measure of the velocity gradient of a fluid in motion, specifically how fast one layer of fluid moves relative to another layer. It is a crucial parameter in understanding how polymers flow and deform under stress, which directly influences their processing and final properties. The shear rate impacts the viscosity of the polymer melt, which can change with varying conditions during processing, affecting product quality and performance.
congrats on reading the definition of Shear Rate. now let's actually learn it.