Ultrasonic velocity and amplitude characterization of magnetorheological fluids under magnetic fields

Variations in velocity of sound and amplitude of the signal of a commercial magnetorheological fluid under different magnetic fields are studied experimentally. Different factors such as orientation, uniformity, geometry and intensity of the magnetic field are investigated. An increase in the change of MR fluid acoustical properties is obtained when the magnetic field intensity is risen. In addition, these properties show an opposite behavior when a magnetic field is applied parallel or perpendicular to the ultrasound propagation. Experiments using an electromagnet and permanent magnets as the source of magnetic field are also compared. Properties such as anisotropy in sound velocity and amplitude make these materials interesting regarding applications.