摘要: This paper provides a summary of the current state of electrorheological (ER) material research and development. In particular, a description of the electrorheological effect, a definition of observed behavior, a critique of the proposed mechanisms for the ER phenomenon, correlations among the properties exhibited by ER materials, an overview of the various test methodologies for characterizing ER materials, and a discussion of the requirements imposed by specific applications is presented. Inherent throughout this paper are references to the properties exhibited by currently available, state-of-the-art ER materials. In order to facilitate the design of devices and to evaluate the effectiveness of a particular ER material in a specific application, it is necessary that experimental data reported for each material be consistent in terminology and test methodology. A recommendation as to the minimum amount of mechanical/electrical property information needed to adequately evaluate an ER material is provided.