Shear Mode Damper Testing Using Flake Shape Based Magnetorheological Fluids

Abstract

Use of anisotropic iron particles in the magnetorheological (MR) fluid having a high yield stress is a challenge as it increases the viscosity of the fluid in off-state. In this clause, a novel flake shaped iron powder based MR fluid with high yield stress is synthesized and used in shear mode MR damper (SMMD). MR damper design is optimized using fluid properties and Bingham model. Damping performance of newly synthesized MR fluid damper is at par with the available friction based damper used in front loaded washing machine. The unique feature of this design is minimal volume of the fluid (1.5 ml) required to achieve damping force of 50N. Effect of different volume percentage of particles in MR fluid is evaluated in terms of damping force. Effect of testing parameters like displacement and frequency of excitation on damping force was evaluated. Effect of settling of particle on damper performance is discussed in this work. It shows that the flakes shaped-based MR fluid show better stability against gravity. The smaller quantity of present flake shaped-based MR fluid will reduce the cost of shear mode damper.