Performance evaluation of ER-gels with different material parameters

Electro-rheological Gel (ERG) is a novel functional elastomer which changes its surface frictional and adhesive property according to the intensity of applied electrical field. This unique property is called Electro-adhesive (EA) effect. It is expected that ER gel is applied to various passive actuator devices such as brake systems and clutch systems, because adhesive property of ERG can be controlled according to the intensity of applied electrical flied. From past studies, we estimate that mechanism of EA effect is attributed to the adhesion of silicone gel and cohesion of ER particles of which ERG is composed. The influence of silicone gel and ER particle on electro adhesive phenomenon, however, has not been studied yet. In this study, relation between electro adhesive phenomenon and characteristics of ER particles is elucidated experimentally by changing the kind of particle and particle diameter. Moreover, relationship between electro adhesive effect and the hardness of silicone gel is analyzed by changing silicone oil into the various viscosities. As a result, it is confirmed that EA phenomenon is also generated using organic particles. Moreover, relationship between electro adhesive effect and the hardness of silicone gel is analyzed by using various viscosities of silicone oil. The result indicates that the EA effect phenomenon is also generated by using organic particles and the phenomenon is affected by the size of particles. In this case, the intensity of EA effect has proportionally increased by reducing the diameter of particles. Additionally, it is unveiled that silicone oil requires the optimum value of viscosity to produce the best performance of EA effect.