Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Dielectric RheoSANS — Simultaneous Interrogation of Impedance, Rheology and Small Angle Neutron Scattering of Complex Fluids
Published on: April 10, 2017
Reversible shear thickening at low shear rates of electrorheological fluids under electric fields
Yu Tian1, Minliang Zhang, Jile Jiang
1State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Department of Precision Instruments, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People's Republic of China. tianyu@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn
Abstract:
By shearing electrorheological (ER) fluids between two concentric cylinders, we show a reversible shear thickening of ER fluids above a low critical shear rate (<1 s(-1)) and a high critical electric field strength (>100 V/mm), which can be characterized by a critical apparent viscosity. Shear thickening and electrostatic particle interaction-induced interparticle friction forces are considered to play an important role in the origin of lateral shear resistance of ER fluids, while the applied electric field controls the extent of shear thickening. The electric-field-controlled reversible shear thickening has implications for high-performance electrorheological-magnetorheological fluid design, clutch fluids with high friction forces triggered by applying a local electric field, other field-responsive materials, and intelligent systems.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Types of Fluids
In contrast, non-Newtonian fluids do not follow Newton's law of viscosity, and their...
Newtonian Fluid: Problem Solving
A velocity gradient forms within the fluid when a Newtonian fluid is placed between two parallel plates, with...
Elastic Strain Energy for Shearing Stresses

