ABSTRACT

Electrorheological (ER) fluids, exhibiting electric field-induced rheological properties, are a kind of non-aqueous colloidal dispersions composed of polarizable particles dispersed in non-aqueous insulating media such as mineral or silicone oil (SO). These dispersed particles in non-aqueous media show a microstructural transition from a random state to a chain-like or column-like structure aligned to the direction of applied electric field rapidly and reversibly by controlling the applied electric field.