The mechanism affecting the mechanical properties and rheological behavior of silicone oil-based magnetorheological fluids by inorganic thixotropic substance

Abstract Thixotropic agents are a critical component of magnetorheological material (MRF) formulations. Nevertheless, research on the impact of thixotropic agents on the mechanical properties and rheological behavior of MRF remains limited. Thus, this study introduced three types of inorganic thixotropic agents into silicone oil-based magnetorheological fluids (MRF) to investigate their effects on the mechanical properties and rheological behavior of MRF. The results demonstrated that thixotropic agents can not only enhance the MRF’s anti-settling and redispersibility properties, but also simultaneously improve its damping performance. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that thixotropic agents can effectively extend the linear viscoelastic region of the MRF, thereby enhancing its stability. However, incorporating thixotropic agents into the silicone oil increased the shear viscosity of the MRF. Thereby diminishing the changes in saturated magnetic induction intensity and damping force. Finally, the mechanism of action of thixotropic agents in MRF was analyzed based on experimental results. We believed that the three-dimensional network structure formed by the molecular chains of thixotropic agents is the key factor influencing material performance.