Impact of Titanium and Activated Carbon Stabilizers on the Rheological Property of Magnetorheological Fluid during Turning Process

Abstract

Vibration has been a major constraint in the machining industries as it has catastrophic effects on the machining parameter. Though there have been several attempts made by the researchers each had their own limitations and constraints. In metal cutting, Magnetorheological fluid (MRF) has proved to be effective in vibration suppression when employed as a semi-active damper. MRF is a smart non-Newtonian fluid which has the capacity to alter its viscosity instantaneously on the application of magnetic field. Along with this property and its robust nature they have used in a wide variety of places as a damper. One major limitation is its settling of magnetic particles which are suspended in a non-magnetic fluid. The settling rate will be further aggravated when the current supplied to coil is increased. Increased current will increase the heat produced in the coil which in turn will heat the non-magnetic fluid wherein its viscosity gets reduced. This problem of settling of iron particles can be prevented by adding stabilizers, similarly the size of particles also has an immediate effect on settling. In the current investigation Titanium and Activated carbon was added as stabilizers to magnetorheological fluid and then the viscosity change brought about in the fluid was studied. Further to support and add clarity to the work variable cutting speed and feed test was also performed. From the experimental results it was evident that stabilizers (activated carbon by 0.1% of weight) in MRF has increased the viscosity and thereby aided in an effective turning process of hardened SS410 steel.