Surface Tension of Magneto-Rheological Fluids

Abstract

Surface tension is a major factor in the thermodynamics as well as fluid properties of Magneto-Rheological Fluids (MRF). We measured the surface tension of an MRF using two different methods. A wettability characterization based on contact angles measurements for the fluid interacting with two different surfaces was conducted. A hydrocarbon based commercial MRF with more than 80% solid weight, placed on quartz and poly-tetra-fluoroethylene (PTFE) surfaces was used. We measured the fluids' surface tension value by means of contact angles measurements and by the falling drop method.