Experimental Investigation on Thermal Stability of Dual Particle Magnetorheological Fluid and Performance

Abstract

Magnetorheological fluid and their properties are essential in Magnetorheological applications. The present study aims to obtain the thermally stable carrier fluid for Magnetorheological damper application through thermogravimetric analyses of three base fluids for higher stability fluid to synthesize Magnetorheological fluid. Scanning electron microscopic images of particles were also tested for their morphology. Magnetorheological fluid samples with 10%, 15%, and 20% by volume were prepared in-house with a 3% calcium base additive (base fluid). Sedimentation and thermal conductivity studies reveal that increasing particle concentration increases the settling time and thermal conductivity. The flow properties show an increase in yield stress with an increase in particle concentration and magnetic fields. The application part of the fluid consists of Magnetorheological damper fabrication and dynamic testing of 20% volume concentration particles at 10 mm amplitude, 2 Hertz frequency, and 0 Ampere and 0.5 Ampere currents, and the temperature of the system is captured with a K-type thermocouple. The results show an 8.2 °C rise at 0.5 Ampere with a 26.2% force decrease within 1000 cycles. The theoretical model based on the lumped parameter analysis predicts the temperature rise, similar to the experimental analysis with a 9.5% error. © 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.