Abstract
Experimental and numerical investigations have been carried out on dynamics of electromagnetic particle chains in an electromagnetic field. Chains formed on a solenoid coil were observed and chain lengths and slant angles were measured. The chain length depends on both the density of magnetic particles and the magnetic flux density, but it is almost independent of the particle diameter. The inclination of a chain in the inclined magnetic field is enlarged by the gravitational force. The enlargement and collapse angle of a chain depend on magnetic flux density. These characteristics of chains and the chain forming process can be numerically simulated with the 3-D Distinct Element Method. Bead-carry-out phenomenon in a two-component development system in the laser printer was discussed by the comparison of calculated magnetic force and measured electrostatic force.
