VOLUME 18 ISSUE 1-2
of Achievements in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering
September–October
2006
Properties and application of magnetorheological fluids M. Kciuk a,* R. Turczyn b a Division of Nanocrystalline and Functional Materials and Sustainable Pro-ecological Technologies, Institute of Engineering Materials and Biomaterials, Silesian University of Technology, ul. Konarskiego 18a, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland b Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology ul. Marcina Strzody 9, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland * Corresponding author: E-mail address:
[email protected] Received 15.03.2006; accepted in revised form 30.04.2006
Materials Abstract Purpose: This paper presents basic properties of the magnetorheological fluids (MR) and their development in recent years. A variety of still growing practical applications in mechanical devices are presented. Design/methodology/approach: The theoretical research results of the properties and applications obtained in the past decades and progressed in recent years are reviewed. Findings: It is very clearly and well understood from the presented paper that replacement of the traditional devices with active, smart system better adapted to the environment stimulus are necessary. Many of them will include MR fluids as active component. Research limitations/implications: MR fluids with excellent properties can be applied in various fields of civil engineering, safety engineering, transportation and life science. They offer an outstanding capability of active control of mechanical properties. Practical implications: A very useful material for the engineers engaged in the design of brakes, dampers, clutches and shock absorbers systems. Originality/value: This article describes an up-to-date MR materials development and their application in civil engineering. The advantage of the smart systems over nowadays solutions becomes the direction of the researches and designing of 21st century devices. Keywords: Smart materials; Magnetorheological materials; Magnetic properties; Shear stress
1. Introduction 1. Introduction Science and technology have made amazing developments in the design of electronics and machinery using standard materials, which do not have particularly special properties (i.e. steel, aluminum, gold). Imagine the range of possibilities, which exist for special materials that have properties scientists can manipulate. Some such materials have the ability to change shape or size simply by adding a little bit of heat, or to change from a liquid to a solid almost instantly when near a magnet; these materials are
called smart materials. Smart materials have one or more properties that can be dramatically altered. Most everyday materials have physical properties, which cannot be significantly altered; for example if oil is heated it will become a little thinner, whereas a smart material with variable may turn from a liquid state which flows easily to a solid. Each individual type of smart material has a different property which can be significantly altered, such as viscosity, volume or conductivity. The property that can be altered determin