A method and device for measurement of a sedimentation constant of magnetorheological fluids

An original procedure and device used for the estimation of a sedimentation constant of magnetorheological fluids have been developed. Experiments tha t vary the volume concentration and particle size of the dispersed phase, a s well as the viscosity of the dispersion medium, show the flexibility of t he proposed procedure. A procedure for using this device to estimate the yi eld stress of these fluids is also described. The results given by our devi ce are shown to be in good agreement with flow curves generated by a commer cial rheometer. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0034-6748(00)0430 6-9].