A numerical simulation of electrorheological fluids in oscillatory compressive squeeze-flow

This paper is concerned with the theoretical analysis of the compressive squeeze performance of an electrorheological (ER) fluid sandwiched between two parallel circular electrodes, the upper one fixed and the lower one oscillating sinusoidally normal to its own plane. It is shown how the force transmitted through the fluid on the upper electrode varies with amplitude and frequency of oscillation together with applied potential difference and also how the fluid, modelled by a bi-viscous characteristic, responds when electrically stressed compared with its unstressed, Newtonian counterpart. Finally, the relevance of the theoretical results to the determination of the mechanical properties of an ER fluid in squeeze is discussed.