Electrorheology and creep-recovery behavior of conducting polythiophene/poly(oxymethylene)-blend suspensions

Electrorheological properties and creep-recovery behavior of polythiophene/polyoxymethylene-blend having PT(50%)/POM(50%) composition were investigated. Particle size, conductivity and dielectric values were measured to be 24.77 mu m, 3.85 x 10(-5) S center dot m(-1) and 26.75, respectively. Sedimentation ratio was measured to be 64% at the end of 16 days. The effects of dispersed particle volume fraction, external electric field strength, shear rate, frequency and temperature on ER properties and storage modulus of PT/POM-blend/silicone oil (SO) suspensions were examined. Enhancement were observed in the electric field viscosities of the suspensions and thus they were classified as a smart material. Shear thinning non-Newtonian viscoelastic behavior was determined for PT/POM-blend/SO system. Further, time-dependent deformation was examined by creep-recovery tests and recoverable viscoelastic deformation established.