We show that the coupling between aggregation and sedimentation in colloidal suspensions gives rise to either cluster deposition or to settling of a gelled suspension, depending on the volume fraction of particles. In the latter case, we report novel settling properties which are interpreted in terms of the specific spatial structuring of the suspensions.

• Received 11 March 1994

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.74.1478