Investigation of electrorheological properties of polyindole/poly(vinyl acetate) composites

In this study, electrorheological (ER) properties of polyindole (PIN) and polyindole/poly(vinylacetate), (PIN/ PVAc) conducting composites having different compositions were investigated. Conductivities and dielectric properties of these composites were determined. The particle sizes of the composites were determined by dynamic light scattering method. Suspensions of PIN and PIN/PVAc composites were prepared in silicone oil, at various of concentrations (c = 525%, m/m) and their sedimentation stabilities were determined. Then the effects of dispersed particle concentration, particle size, shear rate, electric field strenght, frequency and temperature onto ER activities of suspansions were investigated. The flow times of these suspensions at various dc electric field strenghts were measured. Creep tests were applied to the composite suspensions and a reversible viscoelastic deformation was observed.