Effect of the processing conditions on the microstructure of urethane magnetorheological elastomers

摘要

The aim of the study was to develop an innovative processing method of magnetorheological elastomers (MRE). This method comprises optimization of the MRE structure in the context of their performance in the magnetic field. The influence of the amount of ferromagnetic particles and their arrangement in relation to the external magnetic field was investigated. As matrixes various elastomers, with different stiffness, were used. Their properties were compared with commercially available silicone rubbers. It was found that the structure of the MRE produced depends on the viscosity of the matrix before curing and the magnetic field strength applied. Two different magnetic field strengths were used: 100 and 300 mT. The amount of the carbonyl iron particles was equal to 1.5, 11.5 and 33.0 vol. %. Scanning electron and light microscopy techniques were used for the MRE microstructure observations. The influence of curing conditions on the thermal properties of the MRE was investigated. To evaluate the external magnetic field effect on the magnetorheological properties a deflection under magnetic field was measured. The experiment showed that application of the magnetic field increases stiffness of the material.