Deformation of a magnetic fluid droplet with an immersed magnetizable body under uniform magnetic fields

Abstract

The effect of a uniform applied tilted magnetic field on the deformation of a magnetic fluid droplet (resting on a horizontal plane) with an immersed magnetizable ball is investigated numerically and compared with experimental data. It is shown that the ball takes its equilibrium position in the droplet at a certain levitation height above the plane under a uniform tilted field. A 3D mathematical model is used to predict the deformation of the droplet under uniform fields of different directions and magnitudes. The calculated drop shapes are in good agreement with the experimental ones, especially for small volumes and high magnetic fields.