Effect of Dielectric Constant of the Liquid Phase of Electrorheological Fluids

Electrorheological Fluids were prepared by using small (approximately 63 μ) silica particles and fluids with very different dielectric constants (∈). The results of the rheological characterization of the above Electrorheological Fluids show dramatic changes depending on the relative polarity of the particle and liquid phases of the particular ERF. These results are discussed under the light of the various theoretical mechanisms proposed in the literature for Electrorheological Fluids.