Considering the cluster generation mechanism of electrorheological fluids due to dielectric polarization

The mechanism that generates chains between electrodes in electrorheological fluids is analyzed in terms of dielectric polarization. When an electric field is applied to electrorheological fluids, positive charges exist on the surfaces of suspended particles, aligned in the direction of the electric field, while negative charges exist on their surfaces in the opposite direction. The polarized particles are aligned in parallel with the direction of the electric field. The distance between adjacent particles depends on the value of dielectric mismatch. The interaction force between adjacent particles is given as a function of dielectric mismatch. The number of chains is proportional to the ratio of area of electrode to cross-sectional area of the particle.