Magneto Sweep – A New Method for Characterizing the Viscoelastic Properties of Magneto-Rheological Fluids

Abstract

AbstractThe viscoelastic properties of a magneto-rheological fluid can be variably controlled using a magnetic field. A new measuring method is introduced which is based on oscillatory tests. In contrast to flow curves from experiments at steady shear rate, the new method allows an exact determination of a magneto-rheological fluid’s viscoelastic properties as a function of the preset magnetic field strength. The “Magneto Sweep” is an oscillatory test method, each with constant amplitude and constant frequency while logarithmically increasing the magnetic field strength (Magneto Sweep). For typical magneto-rheological fluids (MRF) three characteristic regions and two significant transition points can be determined. These transitions mark the corresponding change in material behavior resulting from an increasing magnetic field strength.