Design and Performance of a Compact 3-D-Printed Magnetorheological Fluid Damper

In this study, magnetorheological fluids (MRFs) were encapsulated in a compact 3-D-printed fluid damper, and the field-dependent mechanical properties, such as stiffness and damping, of the MRF damper were experimentally evaluated. To this end, an MRF prepared with a 40% volume fraction of iron particles and silicone oil was injected into the 3-D-printed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) encapsulant with an elastic thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compression layer. A fluid channel was fabricated between the top and bottom reservoirs, and a field-induced magnetorheological (MR) effect was controlled in the channel, resulting in variable stiffness and damping. The bottom side of the bottom reservoir had a thin elastic layer bonded to its perimeter so that upon compressive loading of the upper TPU surface, pressurized MRF could flow and be accumulated in the lower reservoir. External magnetic fields of 0–58 kA/m were applied to the 3-D-printed MRF damper while conducting uniaxial compression tests. The 3-D-printed MRF damper was characterized via force–displacement tests at a 0.1 mm/s displacement rate. Results showing the effect of varying magnetic fields on the mechanical properties of the 3-D-printed MRF damper are discussed.