Effects of electrode surface morphology on electrical response of electrorheological fluids

In an attempt to enhance the electrical response of electrorheological (ER) fluids under DC electric field conditions, the influence of the electrode surface morphology has been studied using a rheometer in which the electrode surface was covered with a thin metallic net. The test fluids consisted of microsphere particles suspended in two insulating oils, dimethylsilicone oil and fluoridated dimethylsilicone oil. The aggregation of particles and the ER responses in these fluids revealed the effect of local changes in the electric field on the metallic net surface. It is shown that a metallic net on the electrode surface is effective for further promoting the rheological response of the ER fluid suspended in fluoridated dimethylsilicone oil. The responses appear to depend on the material properties of the ER fluids and the mesh size of the metallic net.