Abstract: This study investigates the electromagnetohydrodynamic (EMHD) flow of fractional viscoelastic fluids through a microchannel under the Navier slip boundary condition. The flow is driven by the pressure gradient and electromagnetic force where the electric field is applied horizontally, and the magnetic field is vertically (upward or downward). When the electric field direction is consistent with the pressure gradient direction, the changes of the steady flow rate and velocity with the Hartmann number Ha are irrelevant to the direction of the magnetic field (upward or downward). The steady flow rate decreases monotonically to zero with the increase in Ha. In contrast, when the direction of the electric field differs from the pressure gradient direction, the flow behavior depends on the direction of the magnetic field, i.e., symmetry breaking occurs. Specifically, when the magnetic field is vertically upward, the steady flow rate increases first and then decreases with Ha. When the magnetic field is reversed, the steady flow rate first reduces to zero as Ha increases from zero. As Ha continues to increase, the steady flow rate (velocity) increases in the opposite direction and then decreases, and finally drops to zero for larger Ha. The increase in the fractional calculus parameter α or Deborah number De makes it take longer for the flow rate (velocity) to reach the steady state. In addition, the increase in the strength of the magnetic field or electric field, or in the pressure gradient tends to accelerate the slip velocity at the walls. On the other hand, the increase in the thickness of the electric double-layer tends to reduce it.

Key words: electromagnetohydrodynamic (EMHD) flow, fractional viscoelastic fluid, symmetry breaking