Behavior of Magnetorheological Fluids

Abstract

In the absence of an applied magnetic field, magnetorheological (MR) fluids typically behave as nearly ideal Newtonian liquids. The application of a magnetic field induces magnetic dipole and multipole moments on each particle. The anisotropic magnetic forces between pairs of particles promote the head-to-tail alignment of the moments and draws the particles into proximity. These attractive interparticle forces lead to the formation of chains, columns, or more complicated networks of particles aligned with the direction of the magnetic field. When these structures are deformed mechanically, magnetic restoring forces tend to oppose the deformation. Substantial field-dependent enhancements of the rheological properties of these materials result, as demonstrated in Figure 1.The myriad potential applications of MR and electrorheological (ER) fluids provide considerable motivation for research on these materials. The availability of fluids with yield stresses or apparent viscosities that are controllable over many orders of magnitude by applied fields enables the construction of electromechanical devices that are engaged and controlled by electrical signals and that require few or no moving parts. Potential automotive applications include electrically engaged clutches for vehicle powertrains and engine accessories as well as semiactive shock absorbers that can adapt in real time to changing road conditions. Semiactive dampers for rotorcraft control surfaces are among the potential aerospace applications. The critical need to mitigate the structural vibrations of large structures has led to the construction of large, high-force MR-fluid-based dampers. A promising application in manufacturing processes is the computer-aided polishing of precision optics in which abrasive particles are suspended in an MR fluid so that the polishing rate is determined in part by the strength of an applied magnetic field.