Physical properties of liquid crystalline silicones with ER effect

Abstract

Recently, a large electrorheological effect(ER-effect) has been reported in side-chain liquid crystal polymers by Inoue et al. However, the mechanism of the ER effect is not yet known. In the present study, the fundamental physical properties of the specimens, both the pure polymer and the diluted polymer, have been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, dielectric measurement and microscopic observation of the texture. On the basis of these results, the mechanism of the ER effects will be discussed.