Magnetorheological fluid in natural rubber devices

This Magnetorheological fluid (MRF) are a group of so-called “smart materials” that have seen an upsurge in interest recently. These materials have rheological properties which can change between fluid and solid continuously, rapidly and reversibly by applying magnetic fields. They are composed of a fluid with low permeability and micron-sized magnetic particles. A performance of MRF used in automotive rubber devices was investigated to prevent the magnetic particles inside the fluid sediment over time and to study the compatibility between the rubber material and the fluid. Sedimentation analysis and ageing analysis were carried out to characterize the stability and the compatibility of the MRF respectively. The results of the sedimentation ratio of the MRF and the tensile properties of rubber immersed in the MRF are presented. Consequently, a usage of the MRF in automotive rubber devices was successfully developed.