Effects of the sweep rate of the magnetic field on the changes of ultrasonic wave velocity in magnetic fluid

An external magnetic field applied to a homogeneous magnetic fluid induces a change in its structure manifested as the appearance of chains of magnetic particles arranged along the direction of the field. This change implies changes in the acoustic and magnetic properties of the magnetic fluid such as the acoustic wave propagation velocity and coefficient of ultrasonic wave absorption, and in magnetisation. The paper reports results of a study on the influence of the magnetic field sweep rate and the magnetic fluid temperature on the value of ultrasonic wave velocity, proving that the degree of the aggregation of the magnetic particles (chain formation process) depends on the above-mentioned parameters. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.