Abstract
The smart materials such as magnetorheological (MR) fluids are gaining wide popularity due to their superior control abilities. These abilities are strongly dependent about the stability of the MR fluid which needs to be sustained for the useful life of the system. In the present research work, experimental studies focusing on aggregation, redispersibility and settling of carbonyl iron-based MR fluids have been conducted to analyze the effect of surfactants on controlling settling and redispersibility. The experimental investigations were conducted by preparation of nine MR fluids samples using three types of surfactants (oleic acid, citric acid and tetramethylammonium hydroxide) and three different carrier fluids (water, silicone oil and DTE light mineral oil). The samples were prepared by mixing on rotational machine for 24 h and the homogeneity of the samples was visually inspected. The shear stress and viscosity variation of the homogenous mixture with respect to shear rate was obtained using magnetic rheometer. A new method is presented for measuring the settling of homogenous mixtures by measurement of the change in the magnetic field strength due to settlement of particles. The effect of surfactant type and its quantity on the stability of MR fluid is explored and the results of settling and redispersibility have been presented.
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