Adjustable character of microwave attenuation in BaTiO3 electrorheological fluids

The behavior of microwave attenuation in BaTiO3 electrorheological fluids is studied when considering microwave propagation in the directions perpendicular and parallel to the particle chains, respectively. In the former case, the microwave attenuation increases with field strength when the particle concentration is low, and the increase of the particle concentration can also increase the microwave attenuation. However, when the particle concentration exceeds a critical value, the attenuation will first increase then decrease with field strength. At the same time, the higher the field strength, the greater the change of microwave attenuation. Moreover, there is a saturation field strength. When the field strength is lower than the saturated one, the change of microwave attenuation is fast. On the other hand, in the case of microwave propagation parallel to the particle chains, the microwave attenuation increases with the field strength monotonously. In addition, the variation of microwave attenuation with the field strength shows relaxation effect. The adjustable character of microwave attenuation in BaTiO3 ER fluids can be attributed to the dielectric changes resulting from the field-induced-structural transformation and the polarization of BaTiO3.