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Journal of Polymer & Composites Original Research

Comparative Analysis of Polymer-Enhanced and Conventional Magnetorheological Fluids in E-Bicycle Semi-Active Suspension

  1. Rutvik R. Pawar Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT Academy of Engineering, Pune
  2. Aditya S. Kale Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT Academy of Engineering, Pune
  3. Pradyumna K. Kulkarni Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT Academy of Engineering, Pune
  4. Maya M Charde Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT Academy of Engineering, Pune
  5. Vishal A. Bhosale Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT Academy of Engineering, Pune
  6. Amol J. Asalekar Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT Academy of Engineering, Pune

Abstract

In light of the increased use of electric bicycles as a sustainable transport means, various mechanical challenges emerge which were absent in traditional bicycles, primarily concerning vibration isolation and riding comfort. Indeed, hub motors, batteries and the entire drivetrain system produce dynamic excitations which passive suspension cannot handle effectively. This paper presents a comparison of conventional magnetorheological (MR) fluid and the polymer-based MR nanocomposite fluid within the context of semi-active suspension application for electric bicycles. The new composition is based on the use of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a polymer additive along with magnetite Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, providing enhanced dispersion stability, increased yield stress and predictable behaviour under repeated stress loading. A MATLAB simulation was performed using a 2-DOF quarter-car model including motor excitation in the form of sinusoidal waves and composite road disturbance. The simulation showed that the use of polymer MR nanocomposite leads to an 16.7% decrease in the peak sprung mass displacement, improved settling time and better vibration suppression. Mechanism-wise, it is explained by optimizing particle-polymer interactions within the scope of the magnetite nanoparticles' surface, reducing the possibility of sedimentation and maintaining uniform field-driven damping forces.

Keywords

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