In this paper, we study the electrical properties of new hybrid magnetorheological suspensions (hMRSs) and propose a theoretical model to explain the dependence of the electric capacitance on the iron volumetric fraction, ΦFe, of the dopants and on the external magnetic field. The hMRSs, with dimensions of 30 mm×30 mm×2 mm, were manufactured based on impregnating cotton fabric, during heating, with three solutions of iron microparticles in silicone oil. Flat capacitors based on these hMRSs were then produced. The time variation of the electric capacitance of the capacitors was measured in the presence and absence of a magnetic field, B, in a time interval of 300 s, with Δt=1 s steps. It was shown that for specific values of ΦFe and B, the coupling coefficient between the cotton fibers and the magnetic dipoles had values corresponding to very stable electrical capacitance. Using magnetic dipole approximation, the mechanisms underlying the observed phenomena can be described if the hMRSs are considered continuous media.
Keywords: coupling coefficient; flat capacitor; hybrid magnetorheological suspension; iron microparticles; magnetic dipoles.