Quasi-solid

Quasi-solid, Falsely-solid, or semisolid is the physical term for something whose state lies between a solid and a liquid. While similar to solids in some respects, such as having the ability to support their own weight and hold their shapes, a quasi-solid also shares some properties of liquids, such as conforming in shape to something applying pressure to it and the ability to flow under pressure. The words quasi-solid, semisolid, and semiliquid may be used interchangeably.

Quasi-solids and semisolids are sometimes described as amorphous because at the microscopic scale they have a disordered structure unlike the more common crystalline solids. They should not be confused with amorphous solids as they are not solids and exhibit properties such as flow which bulk solids do not.

Examples

• Pharmaceutical and cosmetic creams, gels, and ointments, e.g. petroleum jelly, toothpaste, hand sanitizer
• Foods, e.g. pudding, guacamole, salsa, mayonnaise, whipping cream, peanut butter, jelly, jam

See also

• Plasticity (physics)
• Viscosity
• Premelting