The electrorheological performance of the particle materials adsorbed with strong rare earth electrolyte

The strong rare earth (RE) electrolytes-RE(ClO4)(3), RE(NO3)(3) and RECl3 are adsorbed by the diatom earth (de), respectively and are dispersed in silicone oil. The electrorheological (ER) behavior of these electrorheological fluids (ERF) is tested at room temperature under d.c. field. The results show that the ER performance of the particle material may be changed with the rare earth electrolyte on the surface of the particles. The ER activity of the material can increase or decrease or disappear with the change of rare earth content (weight fraction) in the particles. The ER effect is strongly influenced by the ERF concentration. When the ERF concentration is beyond a certain value, the ER effect can disappear and the viscosity of ERF can decrease with the increase of electric field strength (E). The contribution of coordinated water with RE3+ to ER effect is negligible. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.