Effect of Aerosil and Oleic Acid on Sedimentation of Magnetorheological Fluid

Abstract

Magnetorheological Fluids (MRFs) are considered as smart fluids because they control viscosity using external magnetic field. It contains ferro-magnetic powder which are aligned in magnetic flux lines. The magnetic force between particles are controlled by magnetic field intensity. This controllable viscosity makes them acceptable in many mechanical applications, but due to difference in density between suspended particles and carrier fluid sedimentation is bound to occur. This thus creates the need of some additives. In our study, silica Nano particles (commercially known as Aerosil 200) is used as stabilizer and Oleic Acid is used as surfactant and their effect on sedimentation is studied in this article. Some other synthesis parameters like particle concentration, stirring duration and material loading also cause some change in sedimentation rate.