Research on the Response of ER Fluids Sheared between Two Parallel Plates

A system testing the shear stress response of ER fluid sheared between two parallel plates to stepwise electric field was constructed. The system has a quick response in 10μs scale. Experiments on the polarization and de-polarization process of ER fluids based on zeolite and silicone oil have been done. Also the rising and decaying process of shear stress were investigated. A higher shear rate induced a quicker response of ER fluid to external electric field. The increase of electric field will increase the response time slightly. The decaying process is found to be finished in 2ms, much quicker than the rising process. Further, the experimental results were compared with the existed theories and experimental results.