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IIT Goa, Mechanical Engineering, Ponda, India, 403401
Abstract
Magnetorheological fluids (MRFs) are one of the categories of smart materials, whose viscosity
increases considerably in the presence of a magnetic field. These fluids are made by mixing stabilizer
additives with micron-sized magnetizable particles in a carrier fluid. The key characteristic of these
fluids is their capacity to switch quickly, within a few milliseconds of the application of a magnetic
field, from a liquid to a semi-solid state with adjustable yield stress. The most significant obstacles to
the widespread use of MRFs technology in contemporary businesses are their low magnetorheological
effect and instability. Researchers have suggested and applied a variety of techniques to enhance the
magnetorheological effect and the stability of these fluids. The primary goal of this work is to provide
an in-depth analysis of several techniques for preparing and stabilizing MR fluids. This paper also
briefly discusses the use of MR fluids and rheological models.
1. Introduction
Magnetorheological Fluids (customarily and in this work referred to as MR Fluids or MRFs)
are a type of smart material that change their viscosity and rheological properties under the influence
of an external magnetic field. These fluids consist of magnetic particles that are suspended in a non-
magnetic carrier fluid, and they exhibit unique and complex rheological behavior, such as shear thinning
and thickening, and yield stress behavior.
The development of MRFs has attracted significant research attention in recent years due to
their potential applications in a wide range of fields including automotive, aerospace, robotics, and
biomedical engineering.
MRFs have been used to develop advanced devices and systems such as dampers, brakes, and
clutches sensitive to vibration. MRF-based devices have shown significant improvements in
performance, efficiency, and precision compared to their conventional counterparts. Their rheological
properties enable them to quickly and precisely adjust their damping force in response to changes in
external vibration and shock, leading to improved safety and efficiency. MR clutches and brakes offer
several advantages over conventional friction-based systems, such as higher torque capacity, faster
response time, and longer service life. These devices find applications in industries, transportation,
machinery, and robotics.
One can also find applications of MRFs in development of prosthetic devices and rehabilitation
systems. MRF-based prosthetic devices, such as knee and ankle joints, can adjust their resistance and
damping force according to the user’s movement, leading to improved mobility, stability, and comfort.
MRF-based rehabilitation systems, such as robotic exoskeletons and haptic feedback systems, have
shown promising results in assisting the rehabilitation process of individuals with motor disabilities.
Furthermore, MR Fluids have opened up new avenues for research and development, leading
to the discovery of novel applications in various fields. For instance, MRF-based energy harvesting
systems have been developed to convert the waster vibration energy into useful electrical energy. MRF-
based soft robots have been developed to mimic the movement and behavior of living organisms,
leading to new possibilities in the field of robotics and artificial intelligence.
The properties and behavior of MRFs have been studied extensively in the recent decade and
various models and simulations have been developed to better understand and quantify this behavior.
However, there remain some prominent research gaps as expressed in various published works.
Understanding the microstructure and behavior of MRFs under different magnetic fields and
shear rates is not well understood. While experimental results are widespread, an aptly modelled
explanation is not yet consolidated. Further, owing to lack of long-term stabilities of the prepared MRFs
including sedimentation and agglomeration, developing efficient and reliable manufacturing techniques
is also a research limitation at the moment. This has also hindered the wide availability and cost-
effectiveness of preparing and using MR Fluids.
This work presents an extensive literature review of the abovementioned aspects of MRFs and
based on published literature and experimental results.
To design MR devices and to predict how they work, one would need to find a specific relation
between shear stress and shear rate in the MRF [26]. Behavior of MRFs in the absence of a magnetic
field is very similar to the behavioral pattern of the carrier fluid, with very slight deviations [25].
One of the most fundamental equations to explain the behavior of magnetorheological fluids is
the Bingham model [26]. This model is extensively applied to explain flow curve (shear stress versus
shear rate) of MRFs. This model predicts that the apparent yield stress for each flow curve can be
extracted from interpolation at zero shear rate [26]. This model has been used in many previously
published literature [5,25].
Claracq et al., as reported in [26], have studied the rheological characteristics of
magnetorheological fluids and concluded that they follow Bingham plastic model very closely, with the
error being of a negligible order.
Another two-parameter equation is the Casson model [26]. Gabriel et al., as reported in [26],
observed that Casson model confirms the experimental results with a higher degree of accuracy and is
thus a more appropriate model for designing magnetorheological devices. One reason for this
observation is that unlike Bingham model, slope of shear stress versus shear rate in Casson model is a
function of the shear rate. Consequently, it is more consistent with the experimental results.
The Herschel-Bulkley model is a three-parameter model which was developed to describe flow
curve and yield stress of visco-plastic fluids and is more general in comparison to previous models [26].
It has been endorsed with the emphasis on a better consistency of this model with the behavior of a
broader range of MR fluids [26]. Other models, including the power law model, have been proposed to
explain the behavior of non-Newtonian fluids which are not extensively applied for magnetorheological
fluids [26].
A damper is a tool used to lessen shock, as well as to restrict motion, balance kinetic force, etc.
A damper that incorporates magnetorheological fluids and is regulated by a magnetic field is known as
a magnetorheological damper. Since magnetorheological dampers may apply a variety of damping
forces to the suspension and are inherently fail-safe, they have been developed. The magnetorheological
damper can function as a passive damping system with known operating parameters whenever a
problem arises in the system, based on the magnetorheological fluid's specifications in the absence of a
magnetic field [26]. Applications for MR dampers include wind-induced vibration control in cable-
stayed bridges, prosthesis control, washing machines, seismic damage reduction in civil engineering,
and vibration control systems [1].
When the MRF flows through a valve, a magnetic field is applied to the fluid and causes
viscosity of the fluid to rise. This change in the viscosity creates resistance against flow of fluid through
the valve. The input pressure is increased and flow of the fluid slows down or completely stops.
Rosenfeld et al., as reported in [26], examined structure and performance of
magnetorheological and electrorheological valves and finally found that performance of the former
significantly depends on driving force and active volume of the fluid.
Another industrial use of magnetorheological fluids is optical polishing, which was initially
described by Kordonski et al. [9]. Abrasive particles carry out the polishing process when magnetic
particles create a chain-like structure in the presence of a magnetic field. The size of the magnetizable
particles has a considerable impact on the abrasive retention capacity and stiffness of a
magnetorheological fluid. Other factors that impact the quality of the workpiece surface include
concentration [26] and the kind of abrasive particles [24].
4. Preparation of MRFs
MR suspensions are prepared simply by mixing all the constituents together. The major
anomaly arises in the type and fraction of the components to be used.
An MRF usually has three main constituents: base fluid, magnetizable particles, and stabilizer
additives. The base fluid behaves like a carrier which contains the metal particles. This is the medium
in which the metal particles are suspended and can be assumed to be uniformly dispersed. Stabilizer
additives are added to overcome the sedimentation tendencies of the heavy magnetizable particles.
With the use of certain surfactants, such as stearic acid (to prevent irreversible aggregation),
iron particles are dispersed in silicone oil to create a straightforward and effective magnetorheological
fluid [12].
In order to efficiently create an MR fluid, one needs to disperse magnetizable particles into the
base fluid in an efficient way so particles do not aggregate and a homogenized suspension may be
attained. One way of avoiding aggregation is to add the stabilizers before adding the magnetizable
components in order to retain the uniform dispersion within the medium.
The concentration of metal particles in an MRF can reach to 50 vol% [25]. Chiriac et al.
dispersed Fe microparticles in mineral oil to examine the impact of particle size and particle size
distribution. They discovered that the MR effect is enhanced when particle size or particle size
distribution are increased, and this augmentation is particularly pronounced in high magnetic field
strengths. The particles are sufficiently near and influenced by the flow field of neighboring particles
for high volume fractions of magnetizable particles. Additionally, hydrodynamic interactions are quite
important in the particle-laden flow. At 50 vol% of the particles, a rapid increase in viscosity is noticed
[22].
Lopez-Lopez et al., as reported in [26], investigated the MR effect of highly dense suspensions.
Their experimental result revealed that 50 vol% silica coated iron particles in mineral oil without further
additives is the upper limit of particles concentration in such an MRF.
Looking at the studies implemented in the context of magnetorheological fluids demonstrates
that carbonyl iron particles with average particle size of 4 μm are the most appropriate candidates for
the preparation of a magnetorheological fluid due to their great magnetic saturation characteristics and
relatively simple preparation process.
Depending on the needed stress range and the permitted range of sedimentation, the volume
proportion of these particles ranges from 10 to 70%. As was previously stated, considerable
consideration must be given to the choosing of magnetizable particles in order to create an effective and
stable MRF. For the MR effect to be reversible, particles' residual magnetism and coercivity must be
minimal. Magnetic saturation should be kept as high as possible for an audible MR effect. Size, shape,
and particle density are further determining factors. The optimal range for particle size is anticipated to
be 0.1–10 m. To prepare a stable MRF, low density particles are required. Along with determining the
type of particle, there are additional considerations including the compatibility of the particles with the
carrier fluid and their chemical stability.
4.3 Additives
In order to prevent gravitational sedimentation, create a stable suspension, improve the
lubricative characteristics, and alter the MRF's initial viscosity, several additives (stabilizers and
surfactants) are added to the magnetic suspension [1]. These substances include anti-friction and anti-
erosion chemicals, as well as suspending and thixotropic agents.
Grease and other thixotropic materials with a high viscosity are often added to
magnetorheological fluids to increase the stability of the particles against sedimentation.
To prevent the fluid from thickening after numerous uses, additives are also required to manage
the fluid's viscosity, particle sedimentation, and interparticle friction [25]. Thixotropic agents build a
network of particles that reduces sedimentation of the particles and results in a weak structure at low
shear rates [10].
5.1 Stabilization
Sedimentation and low MR effect are the two key challenges in magneto-rheology. Methods to
improve stability and the MR effect include coating magnetizable particles, using nanowires, combining
magnetorheological fluids and ferrofluids, using stabilizer additives, using gels or other polymeric
liquids as the base fluid. A flowchart presented below indicates the possible methods. A brief overview
of some of the processes follows. The detailed review of these can be found in [26].
Stabilization
Techniques
Fig 3. B refers to the magnetic field intensity. Lower figure shows how the presence of spherical
nanoparticles affects the MRF inter-particle structure on turning on the magnetic field. (Figure is originally
reproduced by the authors of this review, adapted from reference [26])
Conclusions
In many sectors, the use of magnetorheological fluids with suitable controllability is crucial.
With the help of stabilizer additives and suspensions of magnetizable particles in a base fluid,
magnetorheological fluids can simulate the behavior of a semi-solid material in a magnetic field. In the
context of MRFs, achieving high yield stress and minimizing magnetizable particle sedimentation are
two significant issues.
The rheological characteristics of these fluids are significantly impacted by these issues, which
mostly depend on the kind, shape, size, and volume percentage of the magnetizable particles. The
selection of magnetizable particles is influenced by a number of variables, including compatibility with
the carrier fluid, stability considerations, the desired MR effect, and others. The most promising
particles for the dispersed phase in MRFs, meanwhile, are carbonyl iron microparticles.
One approach to reducing interactions between the particles and particle density is to coat the
magnetizable particles. A new structure of magnetorheological fluids produced by suspending
magnetizable microparticles in a ferrofluid is coupled with another stabilization technique that is one
of the most promising and boosts the magnetorheological effect. Bonds are formed between the particles
when nanoparticles and microparticles are combined in MRFs, increasing the yield stress as a result.
Additionally, the presence of nanoparticles in the base fluid makes it more viscous, which
decreases sedimentation. In addition, several research suggest that the carrier fluid plays a significant
part in magneto-rheology. The key effective factor in sedimentation and instability of these suspensions
is the density differential between the base fluid and metallic particles, which can be reduced by using
fluids with higher density. In the absence of a magnetic field, these fluids' viscosity unfortunately
increased, which is undesirable. However, because to its accessibility, affordability, low viscosity, and
other factors, silicon oil is still regarded as the top choice for preparing magnetorheological fluid.
utilizing the right chemicals to enhance MR impact and stability.
So far, materials that can provide these requirements have not been identified. Finding a
composition of suspensions which can be more stable and also more cost effective still remains a
challenge.
Acknowledgements
<Add something about Shubham sir and Arindam sir?>
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