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Design and Experimental Analysis of a Magnetorheological Damper Prototype for Automotive Applications
Last modified: 2026-07-20
Abstract
This paper investigates the electromechanical behavior of magnetorheological (MR) suspensions, evaluating their integration potential within next-generation automotive damping architectures. The research focuses on the rheological modulation capabilities of MR fluids, which exhibit a rapid transition from a Newtonian to a semi-solid state under an external magnetic field. This phenomenon enables high-bandwidth control of the damping coefficient and real-time adaptation of vehicle dynamics to varying road profiles. The theoretical framework analyses the operational physics of MR dampers, emphasizing the magnetic circuit design, the influence of orifice/valve geometry on flow regimes, and the impact of fluid properties on the system's hysteretic response. A comparative analysis is conducted between conventional passive systems and MR-based solutions, focusing on the trade-offs between ride comfort and handling stability within active and semi-active control paradigms. The experimental component details the development of a small-scale MR damper prototype utilizing a custom-synthesized MR fluid. The study addresses critical engineering challenges, including the optimization of magnetic flux density within the active gap, the selection of highpermeability materials, electromagnetic coil sizing, and the mitigation of fluid cavitation and sealing friction. Furthermore, a dedicated experimental test rig was engineered to characterize the prototype’s force-velocity (F-v) and force-displacement (F-d) profiles. The testing protocols evaluate the damper’s performance across varying electrical current inputs and excitation frequencies. This research bridges the gap between theoretical magnetohydrodynamic models and empirical validation, providing a robust proof-of-concept for scalable automotive applications.