Numerical analysis for the normal force of magnetorheological fluids

Abstract As one of the most important mechanical parameters of magnetorheological fluids (MRF), the normal force has been studied by a large number of researchers using various experimental equipment and methods. However, it is difficult to reveal the effects of particle microstructure characteristics on the normal force of MRF by experimental methods, especially for such factor as the particle size distribution. To advance this research area, a numerical method for calculating the normal force of MRF is proposed in this study. The accuracy of the simulation model is verified with the experimental results measured by a plate-plate magnetorheometer. The results show that the simulated values agree well with the experimental data, which indicates the feasibility of calculating the normal force of MRF using numerical methods and provides a new research idea for a more intuitive and comprehensive analysis of the normal force characteristics of MRF. Besides, the simulated data show that the increase in magnetic field intensity and particle volume fraction will sufficiently enhance the normal force of MRF and improve the response time of MRF. For the MRF with the same particle volume fraction, a decline in the average particle diameter will increase the normal force. Moreover, increasing the dispersion of particle size of MRF particles can also improve its normal force.