A chemical substance added to a liquid to prevent particles from clumping together and settling.
From 'de-' (remove) + 'flocculent' (tending to clump). This chemistry term emerged in the 19th century as scientists studied colloids and particle suspension behavior.
Paint manufacturers add deflocculants to keep pigment particles floating evenly instead of settling to the bottom—without them, your paint can separate like salad dressing. The same principle is used in drilling fluids for oil wells to keep everything suspended properly.
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