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

In this study, a magnetorheological fluids (MRF) was encapsulated in a compact 3D-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 40% volume fraction of iron particles and silicone oil was injected into the 3D-printed Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) encapsulant with 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 enhanced stiffness and damping. The bottom side adjacent to the bottom reservoir has a circular opening and a membrane was bonded to its perimeter so that the pressurized MRF could flow and be accumulated in the lower reservoir. An external magnetic field (i.e., 0 and 32 kA/m) was applied to the 3D-printed MRF damper at the time of a uniaxial dynamic test. The 3D-printed MRF damper was characterized via force-displacement tests at a 2.5 mm/sec displacement rate. The effect of the channel and accumulator on the mechanical properties of the 3D-printed MRF damper was investigated.