Abstract Electrorheological effect on the dispersive system of polarizable fine powder/dielectric oil has been investigated. ER effect was explained divided into following 3 mechanisms; (1) surface conductance, (2) bulk conductance, and (3) induced polarization. Mathematical model which predicts the interactive force between two fine particles in the electrorheological fluid has been introduced based on the induced polarization mechanism. This model may provide guide to select materials for strong ER effect. The attractive force between two particles was calculated using the above model for the selected 7 materials such as ceramics, ferrites, polymers etc. From the calculation result, it was found that the ceramics and ferrites are good materials which show a strong ER effect.