From simple experiments to modern mechatronic devices-development of MR fluid applications

Smart materials, especially MR fluids, play more and more important role in mastering and optimizing construction of mechatronic systems. In the paper the structure and the properties of magnetorheological (MR) fluids are briefly described. The author proposes the series of laboratory experiments reflecting progress in development of systems with MR fluids. In the paper the following exemplary devices with MR fluids are considered: magnetorheological damper, magnetorheological brake, magnetorheological rotary-linear brake and magnetorheological clutch. The chosen results of measurements for laboratory experiments carried out in the Department of Mechatronics at Silesian University of Technology (Poland, Gliwice) are given.