Magnetorheological fluids: a comprehensive review of operational modes and performance under varied circumstances

Magnetorheological (MR) fluids are utilized to develop a variety of electromechanical devices that have potential applications in the automotive, medical, aerospace, and other areas. Since yield stress is the most important design parameter of an MR fluid and its devices, it is dependent on the types of operational modes. This paper thoroughly examines the effects of the operational modes of MR fluids such as shear mode, and squeeze mode along with the impact of mixed-mode operation on the performance of MR fluids and devices. The study found that mixed-mode operation results in higher yield stress and offers better performance control for MR fluid devices compared to single-mode operation under the same working conditions. Several factors impact the performance of MR fluid devices in various operational modes discussed in the paper such as geometry, initial gap thickness, temperature, pressure, velocity, applied compressive strain, response time, magnetic particle composition, magnetic field, and other working factors. Therefore, there is a necessity to thoroughly examine the rheological and mechanical behaviors of MR fluids and the performance of MR devices in different operational modes and working circumstances, highlighting the experimental and theoretical findings conducted by researchers.