The influence of solid-phase concentration on the performance of electrorheological fluids in dynamic squeeze flow

The yield stress of electrorheological (ER) fluids increases by orders of magnitude when electric field is applied across them. In the absence of the field, ER fluids behave as Newtonian fluids. This paper is concerned with an experimental investigation to determine the rheological performance of ER fluids, consisting of a dielectric liquid carrier with a range of solid-phase concentration. The ER fluid was contained in a squeeze cell, which during motion subjects the fluid to both compressive and tensile loading. The results were analysed in terms of the capacity for the transmission of imposed forces across the fluid and showed a great dependence on the applied D.C voltage and the weight fraction of the dispersed solid-phase. In addition, the implications of the results to vibration control, where the ER fluid is employed in an engine mount, are discussed.