Why does a cornstarch and water slurry harden when compressed?

Subject: Why does a cornstarch and water slurry harden when compressed?

Date: Sat Mar 14 21:21:26 1998
Posted by Daniel Pressler
Grade level: undergrad
School: Vassar College
City: Poughkeepsie State/Province: NY
Country: USA
Area of science: Chemistry
ID: 889932086.Ch

Message:


I've noticed that cornstarch slurry has the bizzare property of 
hardening when subjected to pressure.  Whats going on. Does it have to 
do with the fineness of the particles or the H bonding interactions 
between the starch molecules and water?  Anybody know??  What's the 
phenomenon called???  Truly unexpected....

Re: Why does a cornstarch and water slurry harden when compressed?

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