Effects of electric conduction on electrical response of electrorheological fluids

In the present study, the current-voltage characteristics and the electrical responses of the electrorheological (ER) fluids were measured under DC electric field conditions. The test fluids consisted of microsphere particles with various moisture levels dispersed in a silicone oil. The current density/electric field curves could roughly be fitted with sinh functions suggesting ionic conduction. The forces of cohesion between individual particles in the ER fluids were also determined using a mathematical model. The current-force relationship predicted by the theory was compared to experimental results for the test fluids.