Response properties of immiscible polymer blend electrorheological fluids

Abstract

We investigated the response properties of immiscible polymer blend electrorheological fluids to a pulse field. They were composed of liquid crystalline polymers and polydimethylsiloxane, and were classified into two blend types (type I and type II). It was found that the decay of shear stress after removing the field from both of the blends depended greatly on the pulse duration, the applied shear rate, and the temperature. The response properties are discussed on the basis of our model describing the structural change of the fluids. © 2001 The Society of Rheology.