DESIGN OF FAST MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL DAMPER USING SOFT MAGNETIC COMPOSITES

The article investigates the suitability of soft magnetic composite (SMC) material for construction of magnetorheological damper piston. The SMC materials have, in comparison with steel, high electric resistance, which secures very short response time of magnetic induction in the magnetic circuit. In comparison with ferrite materials, the SMC materials have better mechanical properties and high magnetic saturation level, which secures high dynamic range. The disadvantage of SMC material is low permeability. The measurements and simulations showed that MR damper piston made of SINTEX STX SMC prototyping material achieves high magnetic flux density in the MR damper piston gap (only 20 % lower than piston made of steel) and very short response time of magnetic flux density in the gap (more than 20 times shorter than in case of steel piston).