Experimental investigation into the effect of a magnetic field on magnetorheological fluids under an impact load

The apparent viscosity of magnetorheological (MR) fluids changes in the presence of a magnetic field. An increase in the apparent viscosity increases the restriction on the flow of MR fluids. In this study, we perform a qualitative analysis to investigate the effect of a magnetic field on MR fluids under an impact load. An experimental apparatus that consists of a drop-test tower was developed to simulate the impact load, and an MR fluid in a U-pipe was subjected to the impact load via a piston rod. We measured the displacement and velocity of the piston rod, and the influence of a given magnetic field on the behavior of MR fluids under an impact load is discussed.