Abstract
In this research, the transient response of induced shear stress and the related flow behavior of two types of the Electro-Rheological (ER) suspensions containing nano-sized or submicron-sized TiO2 particles dispersed in silicone oil have been investigated when it has been under the application of an electric field and shear using a parallel rotary disk rheometer. The effects of shearing time, electric field strength, and very narrow gap height between disk electrodes on the shear stress and the flow behavior are investigated. This study is very important for the downsizing of Micro-Fluid Power System (MFPS) using ER suspensions because nano- / submicron-particle ER suspensions are expected not to be stuffed in a micro-gap between electrodes.
