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Electrorheology of dielectric liquids

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Abstract

Dielectric liquids that show striking electrorheological (ER) effects are formulated by controlling the conductivity. Although the viscosity is increased on the application of a d.c. field, the flow of electrified fluids is Newtonian in the plain electrodes with smooth surfaces. When the liquids are sandwiched between the electrodes with flocked fabrics, the viscosity behavior is converted from Newtonian to shear-thinning flow. In electric fields, the convective flow is induced over the system due to the electrohydrodynamic(EHD) effect. The interactions between EHD convection and external shear give rise to the additional energy dissipation and in turn the increase in viscosity. The ER effects of simple liquids are very attractive in application to new fluid devices.

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture, Japan, for which the authors are grateful.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. New Technology Management Co., Higashi-Shinkoiwa 2-9-1-306, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo, 124-0023 Japan

    Kazuya Edamura

  2. Faculty of Engineering, Chiba University, Yayoi-cho 1-33, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8522 Japan

    Yasufumi Otsubo

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  1. Kazuya Edamura
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  2. Yasufumi Otsubo
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Correspondence to Yasufumi Otsubo.

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Edamura, K., Otsubo, Y. Electrorheology of dielectric liquids. Rheol Acta 43, 180–183 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00397-003-0337-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00397-003-0337-4

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