Development and characterization of hydrocarbon polyol polyurethane and silicone magnetorheological polymeric gels

Abstract

Magnetorheological polymeric gels (MRPG) have been developed for use in semi-active magnetorheological fluid (MRF) dampers and other magnetorheological (MR) devices. The novel MRPGs are prepared by suspending iron particles in polymeric gels. Off-state (i.e, no applied magnetic field) viscosity and settling behavior can be controlled through the selection of polymeric gels. In this study, tunable rheological properties were investigated with a piston-driven flow type rheometer with a shear rate varying from 20 s Ϫ1 to 6,000 s Ϫ1. Silicone MRPG (with 84.5 wt % iron particles) has controllable viscosity and a high shear yield stress over a wide range of shear rates. Silicone MRPG (79.5 wt % iron particles) has the lowest viscosity of those studied. Polyurethane MRPG has the lowest settling rate. The order of addition of magnetic particles and polymer during the polymerization process affects the MRPG final off-state apparent viscosity (80% increase in apparent viscosity for silicone MRPG polymerized after adding iron particles). This indicates that polymer gels modify the surface properties of the magnetic particles, causing interaction among particles. The dynamic shear yield stress is higher for fluids with better dispersion stability. Polyurethane MRPG, which has the lowest settling rate, has a high dynamic yield stress (23 kPa at 350 mT). Both dynamic and static shear stress values of the MRPGs were found to be similar in magnitude (5-8 kPa at 120 mT for silicone MRPG with 84.5 wt % iron particles and polyurethane MRPG), indicating that MRPGs can provide consistent performance in devices.

Compressible magnetorheological fluids

“…The settling behavior of CMRFs can be characterized by visual observation. 20 By this method, the settling rate can be determined by the measurement of clear fluid formation as a function of time when the particles settle through the fluid, leaving a clear fluid layer at the top. This layer is measured as a clear fluid volume fraction in a graduated glass cylinder.…”

Improved rheological properties of dimorphic magnetorheological gels based on flower-like carbonyl iron particles

“…These superior properties enable MRGs to have great potential to replace MR fluids in some applications , such as, brakes [8], vibration dampers [9], actuator [10], isolators [11], clutches and control valves [12], or to be used in some new areas, for example magnetoresitors [13] and electromagnetic shielding [14]. These applications show that the yield stress and dynamic mechanical properties are very important for the design and practical application of MRG devices in which the MRGs mainly work in dynamic modes [15]. To date, a number of researchers have carried out some research on the material properties and potential applications of MRGs.…”

Characteristic analysis of magnetorheological fluid based on different carriers

“…By changing current value to alter magnetic flux density, the shear yield stress is evaluated by press force. The shear yield stress [11] can be calculated from Eqn. (2):…”