Phenomenological Modeling of Electrorheological Fluids with an Extended Casson-Model

In this paper we propose a phenomenological theory for electrorheological fluids. In general these are suspensions which undergo dramatic changes in their material properties if they are exposed to an electric field. In the context of continuum mechanics these fluids can be modeled as non-Newtonian fluids. Recalling the governing equations of rational thermodynamics and electrodynamics of moving media (Maxwell-Minkowski-equations), we derive suitable governing equations of electrorheology using essentially two assumptions concerning magnetic quantities. Furthermore we introduce a 3-dimensional nonlinear constitutive equation for the Cauchy stress tensor which is an extension of the model proposed by Ružička (see [14]). Assuming a viscometric flow, we compare the shear stress of our model with other well known models and fit the parameters by using measurements that were obtained in a rotational viscometer. Excellent agreement between model and measurements is achieved. On the basis of these results we propose a 3-dimensional model, the so-called extended Casson -model. This model is investigated further for a channel flow configuration with a homogeneous electric field. We determine analytical solutions for the electric field, the velocity and the volumetric flow rate and illustrate the velocity profiles and the predicted pressure drop. The velocity profiles are flattened compared to parabolic profiles and become more flat if the electric field increases.