Paste

Paste

In the realm of physics, a paste is a material that behaves akin to a solid until it encounters a significant load or stress, upon which it transforms into a fluid-like state. From a rheological standpoint, paste exemplifies a Bingham plastic fluid.

Typically, pastes are comprised of a mixture of granular material suspended within a fluid background. These individual grains become tightly packed, resembling sand on a beach, resulting in a disorganized, glassy, or amorphous structure that imparts solid-like properties to pastes.

This phenomenon of particles jamming together contributes to some of the unique characteristics of pastes, displaying traits akin to fragile matter.

In pharmacology, paste represents a fundamental pharmaceutical form, comprising a fatty base (such as petroleum jelly) along with a minimum of 25% solid substance (for instance, zinc oxide).

Instances of paste include starch pastes, toothpaste, mustard, and putty.