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A Magnetorheological damper is a commonly used component in semi-active suspensions that achieves a high force capacity and better performance than a passive system, without the added expense and power draw of a fully active system, all while maintaining failsafe performance. To fully exploit the capabilities of an MR Damper, a high fidelity controller is required that is simple and easy to implement, yet does not compromise the accuracy or precision needed in many high-performance applications. There is a growing need for this level of operation, and this proposed work addresses these requirements by creating an empirically derived invertible model that enables the development of more accurate command signals by capturing the effect of temperature on a MR Damper's performance capabilities. Furthermore, this solution is specifically tailored for real-time application and does not require force feedback. Thus it requires low computation power and minimizes end-user cost by eliminating the need for additional high cost sensors such as load cells. A notable observation that resulted from the development of this proposed model was the difference in behavior between on and off states. Additionally a unique behavior was recognized with respect to the transition between high speed and low speed damping. For validation, the proposed model was compared against experimental data as well as an industry standard Spencer model; it produced excellent results in both cases with minimal error. / Master of Science

Magnetorheological (MR) fluids offer solutions to many engineering challenges. The success of MR fluid is apparent in many disciplines, ranging from the automotive and civil engineering communities to the biomedical engineering community. This well documented success of MR fluids continues to motivate current and future applications of MR fluid. One such application that has been considered recently is MR fluid devices for use in impact and other high velocity applications. In such applications, the fluid environment within the device may be well beyond the scope of our understanding for these fluids. To date, little has been done to explore the suitability of MR fluids in such high velocity and high shear applications. While future applications may expose the fluid to adverse flow conditions, we must also consider current and existing applications which expose the fluid to extreme flow environments. Consider, for example, an MR damper intended for automotive primary suspensions, in which shear rates may exceed 10^5 s^-1. Flow conditions within these dampers far exceed existing fluid behavior characterization. The aim of the current study is to identify the behavior of the fluid under these extreme operating conditions. Specifically, this study intends to identify the behavior of MR fluid subject to high rates of shear and high flow velocities. A high shear rheometer is built which allows for the high velocity testing of MR fluids. The rheometer is capable of fluid velocities ranging from 1 m/s to 37 m/s, with corresponding shear rates ranging from 0.14x10^5 s^-1 to 2.5x10^5 s^-1. Fluid behavior is characterized in both the off-state and the on-state. The off-state testing was conducted in order to identify the high shear viscosity of the fluid. Because the high shear behavior of MR fluid is largely governed by the behavior of the carrier fluid, the carrier fluid behavior was also identified at high shear. Experiments were conducted using the high shear rheometer and the MR fluid was shown to exhibit nearly Newtonian post-yield behavior. A slight thickening was observed for growing shear rates. This slight thickening can be attributed to the behavior of the carrier fluid, which exhibited considerable thickening at high shear. The purpose of the on-state testing was to characterize the MR effect at high flow velocities. As such, the MR fluid was run through the rheometer at various flow velocities and a number of magnetic field strengths. The term "dwell time" is introduced and defined as the amount of time the fluid spends in the presence of a magnetic field. Two active valve lengths were considered, which when coupled to the fluid velocities, generated dwell times ranging from 12 ms to 0.18 ms. The yield stress was found from the experimental measurements and the results indicate that the magnitude of the yield stress is sensitive to fluid dwell time. As fluid dwell times decrease, the yield stress developed in the fluid decreases. The results from the on-state testing clearly demonstrate a need to consider fluid dwell times in high velocity applications. Should the dwell time fall below the response time of the fluid, the yield stress developed in the fluid may only achieve a fraction of the expected value. These results imply that high velocity applications may be subject to diminished controllability for falling dwell times. Results from this study may serve to aid in the design of MR fluid devices intended for high velocity applications. Furthermore, the identified behavior may lead to further developments in MR fluid technology. In particular, the identified behavior may be used to develop or identify an MR fluid well suited for high velocity and high shear applications. / Ph. D.

Mitigation of displacement and acceleration responses of a three story benchmark structure excited by seismic motions is pursued in this study. Multiple 20-kN magnetorheological (MR) dampers are installed in the three-story benchmark structure and managed by a global fuzzy logic controller to provide smart damping forces to the benchmark structure. Two configurations of MR damper locations are considered to display multiple-input, single-output and multiple-input, multiple-output control capabilities. Characterization tests of each MR damper are performed in a laboratory to enable the formulation of fuzzy inference models. Prediction of MR damper forces by the fuzzy models shows sufficient agreement with experimental results. A controlled-elitist multi-objective genetic algorithm is utilized to optimize a set of fuzzy logic controllers with concurrent consideration to four structural response metrics. The genetic algorithm is able to identify optimal passive cases for MR damper operation, and then further improve their performance by intelligently modulating the command voltage for concurrent reductions of displacement and acceleration responses. An optimal controller is identified and validated through numerical simulation and fullscale experimentation. Numerical and experimental results show that performance of the controller algorithm is superior to optimal passive cases in 43% of investigated studies. Furthermore, the state-space model of the benchmark structure that is used in numerical simulations has been improved by a modified version of the same genetic algorithm used in development of fuzzy logic controllers. Experimental validation shows that the state-space model optimized by the genetic algorithm provides accurate prediction of response of the benchmark structure to base excitation.

En France, 460000 nourrissons âgés d’un moins à deux ans, sont affectés par la bronchiolite aiguë chaque hiver. Cette infection virale, qui a pour conséquence une inflammation des voies respiratoires, est généralement traitée par des séances de kinésithérapie respiratoire (KR). Afin d’améliorer l’apprentissage des techniques de KR pédiatriques, un simulateur, représentatif d’un nourrisson de six mois présentant un encombrement moyen, a été réalisé au laboratoire SYMME. Ce premier simulateur permet aux kinésithérapeutes novices d’apprendre les gestes de base de la KR dans un environnement didactique et protégé. Ce travail s’inscrit dans la continuité de cette étude, et devra permettre à terme d’améliorer la formation, en proposant des situations didactiques variées. Dans un premier temps, un système permettant de reproduire sur le simulateur le mouvement de respiration du nourrisson a été réalisé. Puis nous avons travaillé sur la conception d’un mécanisme permettant d’obtenir un comportement mécanique variable au niveau du thorax, afin de permettre à l’apprenant de s’entrainer sur différents cas cliniques. Pour la réalisation d’un tel dispositif, nous nous sommes orientés vers des systèmes classiquement utilisés pour dissiper de l’énergie en modifiant la raideur et/ou l’amortissement de la structure. Deux dispositifs semi-actifs basés sur l’utilisation d’un vérin hydraulique ont été principalement étudiés. Ils se différencient par la façon dont l’écoulement du fluide entre les deux chambres du vérin est modifié : le premier par un changement de section de la canalisation, le deuxième par une modification des propriétés d’écoulement d’un fluide magnétorhéologique. La première solution a été validée partiellement par un kinésithérapeute référent mais n’est pas tout à fait satisfaisante. La seconde a été testée sur un banc d’essai spécifique et semble être une voie prometteuse pour la réalisation du simulateur à propriétés variables / In France, 460000 infants between one month and two years are affected by the acute bronchiolitis each winter. This viral infection which leads to an inflammation of the respiratory tract is generally treated during a respiratory physiotherapy(RP) session. In order to improve the technical learning of the paediatric RP, a simulator which represents a six month old infant with an average type of bronchiolitis was developed in the laboratory SYMME. This first simulator allows the physiotherapist students to learn the basic gestures of the RP in a didactic and safe environment. This research work follows the frame work of this study and should allow an improvement of the training by proposing various didactic situations. As a first step, a system that allows reproducing the breathing movement of an infant on the simulator was developed. Then we worked on the design of a mechanism that allows obtaining a variable mechanical behaviour of the thorax in order to enable the student to practice on different clinical cases. For the realisation of such a device, we focused on systems which are conventionally used to dissipate energy by modifying the stiffness and/or the damping of the structure. Two semi-active devices based on the usage of a cylinder/piston system were examined. They differ in the way the pressure difference between the two chambers of the cylinder is generated : first, by changing the flow geometry and second, by a modification of the fluid flow characteristics of a magnetorheological fluid. The first solution was partially validated by a physiotherapist but was not completly satisfying. The second solution was tested on a specific test bench and seems to be a promising way to realise a simulator with variable properties.

Magnetorheological fluids (MRFs) are non-colloidal stable suspensions of polarizable mesoscale soft magnetic particles, usually metallic Fe-particles, in a carrier liquid such as oil or water; the solidity of which can be tuned by varying the applied magnetic field strength. Magnetorheological fluids are agile candidates for impact mitigation due to their tunable “solidity”, quick and complete reversibility of physical states, durability and reusability in comparison to their mechanical counterparts. The highly desirable property of an MRF is its yield strength and hence the conventional MRFs are Fe-based. However, uncoated Fe-particles suffer from poor chemical and thermo-oxidative stabilities, poor sedimentation stability and redispersibilities necessitating the coatings / additives; which always lead to compromised performance when used in MRFs. An alternative (to Fe) magnetic filler phase is the use of magnetic oxide particles. Soft magnetic spinel ferrites and garnets (though with moderate yield strength in an MRF) with their excellent chemical, thermo-oxidative and sedimentation stabilities, ready-redispersibility, less stringent synthesis and preservation conditions, lower cost, need no stabilizers and additives make them potential contenders for use in MRFs which can provide reliable MR performance. As the microstructure and magnetic nature of particles have direct influence on the MR property, the effects of these were studied by preparing MRFs with magnetic oxide particles of different sizes and shapes. These MRFs were simple bi-phasic as magnetic oxide particles were dispersed in versatile carrier fluid (silicone oil) without any additives; where the magnetic fill fraction was decided based on off state viscosity and the wettability criteria. As the MRFs in a device can undergo different stress / strain conditions of varying amplitudes and frequencies during their service, such a response was studied in laboratory using magnetorheometer via different modes of operation which mimic the service conditions. By varying the applied magnetic field strength and applied shear conditions, the performance of MRFs was evaluated and correlated to the physical and magnetic properties of the particles. Such a study provides a basis for the choice of magnetic phase in MRFs and their required concentration in the base fluid to provide highest efficiency. The dynamic yield strengths (field dependent yield stress) of MRFs extracted from steady shear measurements showed that the yield strength was strongly dependent on the saturation magnetization as well as on the microstructure of the particles used in MRF. The yield strength scaled with the saturation magnetization, magnetic fill fraction and applied magnetic field strength due to stronger magnetic column formation. The stability of MRFs (via the absence of wall slip) was found to depend predominantly on the microstructure of magnetic particles in the fluid such that MRFs containing structured particles showed the absence of wall slip while the MRFs containing irregular shaped powder particles showed poor stability via the occurrence of wall slip. The steady shear tests highlight the importance of using particles of definite shape with superior magnetic properties at a certain magnetic fill fraction for an efficient and reliable MR performance. The MRFs subjected to different oscillatory shear conditions showed that sturdier structures form in-field (exhibited via high gain modulus or low loss factor) when the particles have certain shapes (and size distribution) which result in high surface contact and are highly magnetic. Hence, the MRF containing Fe3O4 micro-octahedrons with high magnetization and large surface area for contact with other octahedron showed the large value of gain modulus and low loss factor compared to all other MRF samples. Poly-dispersity in spheres was found to be advantageous over monodisperse spherical magnetic particles due to void-bridging effects that strengthen the magnetic structuration. The irregular shaped particles based MRFs showed lower gain (higher loss factor) due to weak structuration. Anomalously high loss factor observed for rod shaped LZFP particles based MRF at medium strains and low field strengths is attributed to the rotation hindrance and low density of particles. The polydisperse particles based MRFs showed need for higher applied field strengths to decrease the loss and irregular particles based MRFs showed noisy response. The magnetosweep results showed that shape anisotropic particles based MRFs respond faster to applied field manifested as a faster decrease in loss factor with field. With magnetorheological parameters showing high dependence on the physical and magnetic nature of particles, oscillatory shear tests can serve as a means to select and assess the suitability of these particles for magnetorheological fluid for specific applications. The time dependent magneto-mechanical behaviour such as creep-recovery in MRFs showed that the strain recovery was dependent on the microstructure and magnetic nature of the particles such that fluids containing structured particles with high saturation magnetization showed higher recovery (due to better in-field structuration) compared to the irregular shaped and lower magnetization particles based MRF counterparts. The endurance of the MRFs (sustenance of strength of the MRF) under sustained stress conditions were estimated by a novel method which showed that MRFs containing ‘structured’ particles with high saturation magnetization showed high creep strength. In case of spherical particles based MRFs, the polydispersity of particles was found to aid in better column strength due to void-filling. The high surface contact between rod-shaped particles in the fluid resulted in good creep-strength among all MRFs. Among all the particles, the octahedron shaped Fe3O4 particles with large surface contact coupled with high saturation magnetization makes the Fe3O4 micro-octahedron particles based MRF the best amongst all the MRFs studied in this work. In case of irregular shaped particles based MRFs, the creep strength lagged behind the yield strength suggesting that such MRFs are not suitable for applications which demand sustained strength over prolonged action of stresses. Thus, the present work highlights the importance of considering the physical and magnetic properties of magnetic particles while selecting them for application specific MRFs where high endurance is sought. The stress relaxation behaviour of MRFs showed an overall high strength (via relaxation moduli) for MRFs containing particles with definite shape and high magnetization values (increased structure strength). However, the rod shaped particles based MRF did not witness increased strain limit with increased field strength, probably due to the mass flow in fluid due to higher inter-particle interaction than the interaction with applied field. The observation of increase in critical strain with increase in field for MRFs containing irregular shaped particles is only due to the higher number of particles resulting in overall increase in viscosity with field. Among all the MRFs, octahedron Fe3O4 particles with superior magnetic properties and large surface contact between facets showed highest critical strain for flow, which is in corroboration with other magnetorheological studies discussed so far. The creep-recovery and stress relaxation behaviours of MRFs are rarely studied, yet very important when selecting an MRF for an application which seeks high retention of MR strength over prolonged action of stress or strains. A comparison of particle shapes used in the MRFs suggests that although both octahedron shaped and rod shaped particles make high surface contact during structuration, the former is better due to lack of rotation hindrance, thus useful for preparing quickly responding MRFs. The inadequacies in th e conventio nal FOMs are address ed by a new FOM which is based o n a wholistic approach formulated consideri ng all relev ant physical and magnetic paramete rs of the particles. Also, the individ ual terms of this FOM help in selecting a particular MRF for a specific application. The FOM is as follows: λ – sedimentation constant (time taken by the MRF to sediment to about 1/eth of its total volume) With the MRFs containing octahedron shape d Fe3O4 pa rticles showing the highest FOM followed by s pheres (mod erate value ) which are succeeded by irregular powder samples based MRFs, the FO M observed in all MRF cases follow the same trend as observed by results from different magnetorheologi cal studies. Hence, the highest F4 (or FAB) observed for Fe3O4 octahedron particles based MR F in comparison to a ll other MR Fs (including Fe-based) is justified by the o Mbserved large yield strength, creep-resistance, low density and ready-redispersibilities, validating the FOM. The entire thesis is organized as follows. Chapter 1 details the motivation for the present research work, introduction to the material of interest (Magnetorheological fluid) with overview of different areas of potential applications, important properties of MRF, the current status of MRF, the challenges / issues needed to be addressed followed by choice of alternate materials for addressal of these drawbacks faced by conventional (Fe based) MRFs. Chapter 2 explains the synthesis of magnetic-oxide particles of different sizes and shapes by following different synthesis techniques. This is followed by the structural, microstructural and magnetic properties characterizations carried out by employing different, standard characterization techniques. The procedure for preparation of MRFs from the synthesized magnetic oxide particles is discussed. The basis of carrier fluid selection and magnetic particle concentration in MRF is explained. Chapter 3 gives a background to magnetorheology, in terms of the instrumentation (magnetorheometer), the relation between the magnetorheological parameters and the instrumental parameters (conversion factors), the different operating modes and the relevance of characterization modes in terms of practical applications, the procedure of different characterizations and the standard response behavior of MRFs to the characterizations. Chapter 4 is comprehensive characterization of all the MRFs subjected to steady shear conditions at various applied fields. The detailed analyses in terms of MR response are given with respect to the structure, microstructure, magnetic nature, and magnetic fill fraction of the magnetic particle in the fluid. Chapter 5 is extensive study of all the MRFs subjected to dynamical shear conditions at various applied fields. The magnetorheological responses of MRFs under different dynamical conditions (amplitude sweep, frequency sweep and magnetosweep) are analyzed in regard to role of microstructure, magnetic nature and magnetic fill fraction of the magnetic particle in the fluid. Chapter 6 explains the creep-recovery response of MRFs for the best magnetic fill fraction, decided from the steady and dynamical shear responses for all concentrations of MRFs. The recovered strain is analyzed with respect to a range of applied field strength and stress values. The creep strength determined from this study is correlated to the microstructure and magnetic nature of particles constituting the MRFs. Chapter 7 elaborates the stress relaxation behaviour of MRFs for the best magnetic fill fraction, decided from the steady and dynamical shear responses for all concentrations of MRFs. The stress relaxation (plateau values) moduli for the MRFs extracted at various applied field strength and strain values are analyzed to estimate the critical stress for flow in MRFs. This relationship between the critical stress that an MRF can withstand and the microstructure and magnetic nature of the particles in the fluid are investigated. Chapter 8 is about the study of sedimentation stability (and the redispersibility) of magnetic oxide particles based MRFs and the comparison of these properties with Fe- based MRFs. The role of mass-density and microstructure of particles in the fluid on sedimentation rate is briefly explained. Chapter 9 compares the important outcome of all the magnetorheological characterizations for all the studied MRFs in terms of extent and speed of response, the sedimentation stability and eases of redispersibility, and relates the observations to the physical and magnetic properties of the magnetic particles. The method of developing a new figure of merit based on a wholistic approach for assessing the efficiency and reliability of MRF is discussed which overcomes the shortcomings of conventional figures of merit. Chapter 10 summarizes the important findings of research work and highlights the validity of the new figure of merit in assessing ‘reliability and performance’ of MRFs.

Resumo: Neste trabalho é apresentado uma proposta de absorvedor de vibrações ajustável tipo viga sanduíche utilizando fluido Magnetoreológico no centro. Para o desenvolvimento deste projeto foi realizada uma revisão sobre os vários tipos de absorvedores e algumas aplicações. Em seguida foi realizado um estudo sobre o comportamento do fluido magnetoreológico, mostrando como este material inteligente varia suas propriedades quando submetido a um campo magnético. O objetivo do estudo foi verificar as propriedades do sistema para realização de um futuro controle, que é realizado através da variação do campo magnético. Avaliou-se, também, a relação com a corrente elétrica, quais os parâmetros que o influenciam e como podemos produzir um campo magnético com a intensidade desejada. Para avaliar as características do sistema foi utilizado o modelo no programa Ansys, com o objetivo de se verificar o comportamento do sistema. Para encontrar as características reais do sistema foi utilizado o modelo na forma de espaço de estados modais, identificado através do método PEM, Método de Predição de Erros (do inglês Prediction Error Methods ���� PEM). Os testes experimentais foram realizados para se adquirir conhecimento do comportamento dinâmico deste tipo de fluido e, verificar se há repetibilidade nas medidas / Abstract: This work presents a proposal of a tunable vibrations absorber type sandwich beam, using the Magnetorheologic fluid in the intermediate layer. For the development of this study a revision of some types of absorber with some applications was carried out. After that, a study of the behavior of the magnetorheologic fluid was carried through, showing as this intelligent material tunable its properties when submitted to a magnetic field. The objective of this analysis was to verify the properties of the system for implementation of a future control, which is based on the variation of the magnetic field. It was realized an analysis of the relation of the electric current and the parameters that influence it, in order to produce a magnetic field with the desired intensity. The characteristics of the system were verified through a mathematical model obtained with the software Ansys. The real characteristics of the system were found through the identification method PEM, Prediction Error Methods, using modal space states formulation. Experimental tests were carried out in order to obtain know how of the dynamic behavior of this type of material / Orientador: Vicente Lopes Junior / Coorientador: Michael J. Brennan / Banca: Hermes Adolfo de Aquino / Banca: Edson Antonio Capello Sousa / Mestre

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-03-02T15:20:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 catarinavieiranagahama.pdf: 3773576 bytes, checksum: ae1c4d72f2626e67a0fa112d4f0ee815 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-03-06T19:53:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 catarinavieiranagahama.pdf: 3773576 bytes, checksum: ae1c4d72f2626e67a0fa112d4f0ee815 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-06T19:53:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 catarinavieiranagahama.pdf: 3773576 bytes, checksum: ae1c4d72f2626e67a0fa112d4f0ee815 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-09-10 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Sistemas de controle de vibrações estruturais são formas de proteção que visam reduzir vibrações excessivas e/ou indesejáveis induzidas por cargas dinâmicas atuantes em estruturas civis, de forma a atender os critérios de segurança, funcionalidade e conforto aos usuários. Estes sistemas podem ser classificados em passivo, ativo, híbrido e semiativo. Dentre os sistemas de controle de vibrações, os semiativos têm se mostrado bastante atrativos por aliar a confiança e a simplicidade típicas de sistemas passivos `a adaptabilidade dos sistemas ativos, destacando-se, dentre eles, os amortecedores magnetorreológicos (MR). Os amortecedores MR são dispositivos semiativos que possuem a capacidade de mudar, de maneira reversível e quando exposto a um campo magnético, de um estado líquido para um estado semi-sólido em milissegundos. Essa característica faz dos amortecedores MR uma ferramenta ideal para o controle de sistemas estruturais, pois com eles é possível administrar forças de amortecimento de forma rápida e segura, utilizando pequenas quantidades de energia. Neste trabalho, a eficiência do controle semiativo utilizando amortecedores MR aplicados a um modelo de um edifício de dois andares submetido a uma aceleração na base é estudada. Os resultados obtidos são validados através da comparação com resultados já publicados por outros autores. A metodologia adotada consiste basicamente em avaliar o comportamento dos amortecedores MR em três situações distintas: 1) funcionando como um amortecedor passivo, ou seja, aplicando-se uma voltagem constante e, portanto, sem variações de suas propriedades amortecedoras; 2) funcionando como um controlador semiativo em que a voltagem de comando dos amortecedores MR é determinada pelo algoritmo clipped optimal baseado em um regulador linear quadrático (LQR), podendo assumir o valor 0V ou voltagem máxima; e 3) funcionando como controlador semiativo com voltagem de comando otimizada, podendo assumir valores intermediários de voltagem entre 0V e voltagem máxima. Esta última estratégia é original e consiste na principal contribuição do presente trabalho. Para efeitos comparativos, o modelo estudado também foi submetido ao controle puramente ativo, supondo-se um atuador mecânico exercendo forças de controle diretamente na estrutura. Esta última estratégia permite confrontar os desempenhos do amortecedor MR com um controlador ativo. / Structural vibration control systems are means of protection which aim the reduction of excessive or undesirable vibrations caused by dynamic loads on civil structures in other to assure safety and comfort criteria. Those systems are classified into passive, active, hybrid and semi-active. Semi-active controls systems are among the most used due to reliability and simplicity reasons. The magnetorheological dampers (MR) are semi-active devices capable of changing from liquid to semisolid state in milliseconds, in a reversible manner, when exposed to a magnetic field. Due to this capability, MR dampers are considered as a perfect tool for controlling structural systems - allowing the management of damping load fast and safely, with small amount of energy. This work studies the efficiency of semi-active control systems, by means of MR dampers applied to a two-story building model subject to accelerations applied to its basis. The obtained results are compared to data available in the literature, showing good agreement. The adopted methodology consists in evaluating the MR dampers behavior in three distinct situations: 1) applied as a passive damper: under constant voltage, with no variation of dampers properties; 2) applied as a semiactive controller for which the activation voltage is determined by the clipped optimal algorithm based on a linear quadratic regulator - with voltages of 0V or a maximum value; 3) applied as a semiactive controller with optimized activation voltage, assuming voltage values ranging from 0V to a maximum value. This strategy is original and consists in the main contribution of the present work. For comparison purposes, the studied model was also subjected to purely active control, by assuming a mechanical actuator exerting control forces directly on the structure. This strategy allows confronting the performance of the MR damper with an active controller.

The diploma thesis deals with the study of the behaviour of bidisperse MR fluids. The introduction gives brief research and analysis of previously published studies. In the main part of this thesis, the sedimentation properties of monodispersions and bidispersions are investigated influencing on the primary and secondary particles size, the ratio between the fractions, the total concentration of the particles dispersed in the MR fluid and the carrier fluid viscosity. The initialization sedimentation rate is used to assess sediment stability. Subsequently, MR samples are tested on a slit-flow rheometer, and flow curves are measured at different temperatures and in the presence of various magnetic fields intensities. The MR effect is evaluated by the yield stress. The study contains results describing the behaviour of investigated MR fluid samples.

The introduced diploma thesis focuses on the preparation of magnetorheological suspensions with high sedimentation stability. The theoretical part generally describes these suspensions and their properties, it also focuses on the possibilities of improving sedimentation stability, for example by modifying the surface of the particles or adding additives. A research based on the topic of preparation of sedimentation stable magnetorheological suspensions was also carried out. The experimental part focuses on two types of magnetorheological suspensions. The first type of suspension consisted of a water-in-oil emulsion and carbonyl iron particles that were modified by chemisorption of the surfactant Tween 80. Another type of suspension contained thixotropic organoclay along with untreated iron particles. In both types of magnetorheological suspensions, the process of their preparation was optimized, together with the composition of carrier fluids for the preparation of the most sedimentation-stable magnetorheological suspension. The measurement of sedimentation stability by a dispersion analyser confirmed the positive effect of particle modification and the addition of thixotropic agent on the sedimentation stability of suspensions.