• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1763-1771
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• 2004

An experimental investigation was performed to study the characteristics of ER (Electro-Rheological) fluid flow in a horizontal rectangular tube with or without D. C voltage. To determine some characteristics of the ER flow, 2D PIV(Particle Image Velocimetry) technique was employed for velocity measurements. This research found the mean velocity distributions with 0kV /mm, l.0kV /mm and l.5kV /mm for Re=0, 0.62, 1.29 and 2.26. When the strength of the electric field increased, the cluster of ERF was clearly strong along the test tube and the flow rate decreased. The present results will contribute to the economical and compact design of ER fluids system.