Fretting friction and wear characteristics of magnetorheological fluid under different magnetic field strengths

• Fretting friction and wear characteristics of MRF is examined.
• The friction coefficients increased with increasing magnetic field strength.
• The coefficient of friction decreased with increasing oscillation frequency.
• Wear volume and coefficient become worse with increasing magnetic field strength.

A magnetorheological fluid (MRF) performs differently under different magnetic field strength. This study examined the fretting friction and wear characteristics of MRFs under a range of magnetic field strengths and oscillation frequencies. The fretting friction and wear behaviors of MRF are investigated using a fretting friction and wear tester. The surfaces of specimen are examined by optical microscopy and 3D surface profilometer before and after the tests and wear surface profiles, the wear volume loss and wear coefficient for each magnetic field strength are evaluated. The results show that the friction and wear properties of MRF change according to the magnetic field strength and oscillation frequency.