Study of viscous behaviour in thermal peloids

Abstract

Although there are many studies available on the composition and physical properties of peloids, there nevertheless are very few studies wherein analytical methods are related to handling and skin application–aspects which are important in peloid therapy. Literature is also available on texture (adhesiveness, cohesion, elasticity) and on skin affinity (tensiometric print) but is less available on viscosity and rheological aspects. Viscosity is an important parameter not only for peloid application but also for its thermo-physical characterisation. Peloid viscosity is closely linked to water content. Ferrand and Yvon studied viscosities in kaolinite and bentonite pastes. They noticed that mixtures of the two thickened over time and did not obey normal addition laws because the viscosity of their mixtures was observed to be lower than that of their individual pastes in pure form. Experimental studies carried out at the Department of Applied Physics, University of Vigo, have likewise suggested that the type of mineral water used for preparing the peloid is of great importance, since mixture viscosity varies according to mineralisation of water. Several viscosity measurements were made using mixtures of a type of bentonite clay and varying proportions of different types of waters: tri-distilled water, seawater and four mineral- medicinal waters.