Abstract
The smart materials subclass of magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) composites is presented in this work, which aimed to investigate the influence of filler distribution on surface morphology. Iron particles with sizes ranging from 20 to 150 µm were incorporated into the elastomer matrix and a 30% volume fraction (V%) was chosen as the optimal quantity for the filler amount in the elastomer composite. The surface morphology of MRE composites was examined by 3D micro-computed tomography (µCT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Isotropic and anisotropic distributions of the iron particles were estimated in the magnetorheological elastomer composites. The filler particle distribution at various heights of the MRE composites was examined. The isotropic distribution of filler particles was observed without any influence from the magnetic field during sample preparation. The anisotropic arrangement of iron fillers within the MRE composites was observed in the presence of a magnetic field during fabrication. It was shown that the linear arrangement of the iron particle chain induced magnetization within the composite. Simulation analysis was also performed to predict the particle distribution of magnetization in the MREs and make a comparison with the experimental observations.
Highlights
Materials scientists, taking advantage of the best properties of each component and trying to decrease or eliminate their drawbacks, define composites as the material platform of the twenty-first century [1], where two or more components are combined in a single material to give new and previously unattainable combinations of useful properties [2,3].Magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) composites belong to the category of smart materials, whose properties can be significantly altered by controlled external stimuli, such as stress, temperature, pH, moisture, and electric or magnetic fields [4,5,6,7,8,9]
Isotropic and anisotropic distributions of the iron particles were estimated in the magnetorheological elastomer composites
Besides magnetically controlled smart materials, magnetic composites such as magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) and MR fluids have demonstrated a high potential for damper applications, especially if the magnetic field generation can be configured to produce lightweight and flexible devices for shock
Summary
Materials scientists, taking advantage of the best properties of each component and trying to decrease or eliminate their drawbacks, define composites as the material platform of the twenty-first century [1], where two or more components are combined in a single material to give new and previously unattainable combinations of useful properties [2,3]. Magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) composites belong to the category of smart materials, whose properties can be significantly altered by controlled external stimuli, such as stress, temperature, pH, moisture, and electric or magnetic fields [4,5,6,7,8,9]. The mechanical properties of the MRE composites, in particular, are highly influenced by the isotropic and/or anisotropic (chain-like, plane-like) distribution of the particles within the matrix [22], depending on the method of preparation [23]. Particle interactions at the microscopic level can alter the macroscopic properties of MRE composites, especially in the presence of an external magnetic field, influencing their mechanical properties. To predict the particle distribution in the composite, a simulation mechanism of the magnetic behavior was proposed and compared with the experimental observations
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