THE VISCOSITY OF A SUSPENSION OF FERROMAGNETIC ROD-LIKE PARTICLES

The viscosities of a dilute suspension of ferromagnetic rod-like parti cles are computed in a general situation in which a homogeneous statio nary flow and a magnetic field are imposed on the system. For this pur pose, the corresponding Smoluchowski equation giving the probability d ensity for the orientations of the particle has been solved. After usi ng an expression for the stress tensor we obtain the viscosities as fu nctions of the Langevin parameter and the aspect ratio of the particle s. Finally, the shear and elongational viscosities are given for parti cle directions of the magnetic field. (C) 1994 Academic Press. Inc.