This document gives information on an interlaboratory comparison for the determination of the time-dependent structural change (thixotropy) using rheological test methods. Thixotropy is the reversible, time-dependent decrease of shear viscosity？η at a constant shear rate or shear stress？τ.

This document provides examples of fields of application, in which important material properties can be characterized by the thixotropy. These fields of application include:

—？effectiveness of rheological additives and thixotropic agents, respectively;

—？stability of the structure at rest (e.g. behaviour when starting to pump);

—？wet film thickness after processing;

—？levelling and sagging behaviour (e.g. without brushmarks or sag formation);

—？orientation of effect pigments.