Behavior responding to electric field of starch/gelatin/glycerin aqueous electrorheological elastomer

Two kinds of aqueous electrorheological elastomers containing starch particles dispersed in gelatin/glycerin aqueous matrix were prepared in the absence/presence of the applied DC electric field. They were improved in elasticity and flexility of matrix as well as the extent of dispersing particles in contrast to BaTiO₃/gelatin aqueous elastomer. The response to electric field of the composite systems was studied by measure of compression modulus of the elastomers and dynamic-exam of resistance in the cure process of the systems. The result shows that there are obvious differences between the compression moduli and the response to the applied field of the two kinds of elastomers. In addition, there were visible differences between the resistances of corresponding systems. The reason was suggested that the applied electric field makes particles aligned disperse in matrix network and form chain structure, which induce the compression modulus of the elastomer enhanced, the response to field better and the resistance of composite system increased.