Our bidisperse magnetorheological fluids are suspensions of micron (2-10μm) and nanometer (~40nm) scale magnetic iron particles in silicone or hydraulic oil. Earlier studies were conducted to determine the yield stress of these fluids at low magnetic field induction. These studies have shown the absence of saturation yield stress implying the possibility of a higher yield stress by increasing the applied field. In this study, three different bidisperse MR fluids were investigated to determine the maximum available yield stress that can be obtained at or near saturation magnetic flux density. The iron loading in the fluids varied from 50% to 80% by weight. Two types of MR cells, a low field and a high field cells, were used for the investigation. Using a parallel disc rheometer alternatively equipped with one of the two MR cells, the flow curves of the MR fluids were obtained and their yield stress determined. The yield stress of the MR fluids as a function of applied magnetic field was identified using the Bingham-Plastic constitutive model. Results show that the high field cell (maximum 1 Tesla) was able to measure shear stress up to saturation, whereas the low field cell (maximum 0.26 Tesla) could not.
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