Tribological performance of a magneto-rheological suspension

The boundary lubrication performance of typical electro and magneto-rheological fluids are compared for friction and wear. Given that the MR species seems to have advantages over the ER variety, the tribological mechanism of the former is investigated from the point of interest of providing a basis from which to reach the optimisation potential of the fluid. The investigation involves changing the iron particle loading of the suspensions, measuring the roughness of the surfaces and includes supporting SEM photographs, all from tests using a block on ring apparatus. From these data a model for the tribological scenario is elucidated, albeit for low MR particle concentrations.