Study of thermal conductivity of magnetorheological fluids using the thermal-wave resonant cavity and its relationship with the viscosity

The thermal conductivity and viscosity of a magnetorheological suspension composed of carbonyl iron particles immerse in silicone oil were studied. Thermal wave resonant cavity was employed to measure the thermal diffusivity of the magnetorheological fluid as a function of an externally applied magnetic field. The dynamic viscosity was also measured and its relationship with the concentration of the particles and the magnetic field strength was investigated. The results show that higher concentrations of carbonyl iron particles as well as higher magnetic field intensities lead to a significant increase in thermal conductivity. The relationship between the thermal conductivity and the dynamic viscosity was explored. Our measurements were examined using an analytical relation between the thermal conductivity and the dynamic viscosity. The results show that by using highly viscous materials, the order induced in the micro particles can be kept for a relatively long time and therefore the increase in thermal conductivity can also be maintained.