Supporting and friction properties of magnetic fluids bearings

A driblet of magnetic fluids (MFs) falls on an annular magnet, forming a closed liquid ring. The magnetized MFs can produce liquid support due to magnetostatic force. The air cushion enclosed by the MFs sealing ring may generate gas support as the magnet bottom combines with a substrate. The supporting capacity supplied by the liquid-gas contributes to friction reduction. Research shows such supporting is affected by the surface magnetic field and field distribution. Tribological results confirm that low friction can be obtained since the tribo-pairs are separated by the supporting force and the friction originates from the fluid viscosity. Such design would be significant for solving the “cold welding” as well as the “stick-slip” phenomenon, especially in precise sliding machine.