Abstract
The electrorheological fluid (ERF) is a fluid which show the non-Newtonian fluid characteristics when the electric field is applied. Owning to the electrorheological effect, ERF has been regarded as promising substance for engineering applications. In this study, a basic experiment of the gap flow in a closed piston - cylinder system of ER fluid was carried out with regard to an engineering application to dampers. The purpose of this study is to elucidate flow behaviors of ER fluid in the piston - cylinder system by experiment and visualization. From the results, it is confirmed that it is possible to control a damping effect by a change of an electric field. Also, it was observed that flow field in a cylinder is largely affected by a variation of a piston velocity.
