Field-dependent rheological properties of magnetorheological elastomer with fountain-like particle chain alignment

• Main Authors: Muhammad Fakhree, Muhammad Akif, Nordin, Nur Azmah, Nazmi, Nurhazimah, Mazlan, Saiful Amri, Abdul Aziz, Siti Aishah, Ubaidillah, Ubaidillah, Ahmad, Fauzan, Choi, Seung Bok
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI 2022
• Subjects: TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/103296/1/NurAzmahNordin2022_FieldDependentRheologicalProperties.pdf; http://eprints.utm.my/103296/; http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/mi13040492

Magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) consists of magnetic particles known as carbonyl iron (CIPs), which have been locked in a silicone-based matrix, in various alignments. However, current MRE exhibits inadequate rheological properties due to several issues such as particle alignments. Therefore, in this study, a new approach of the particle alignment of CIPs in MRE, namely fountain-like structure, is introduced. It is expected that this kind of MRE exhibits enhancement rheological responses, in off-and on-state conditions. This work includes the development of a new mold that can produce various directions of magnetic flux lines in order to have fountain-like structures of CIPs in MRE, during the curing process. Three types of particle alignments in MRE, namely isotropic, fountain-like and inverted fountain-like, are fabricated. The rheological properties of MRE in terms of storage modulus and MR effect are measured in an oscillatory shear mode using a rheometer. The results have revealed that fountain-like MRE exhibits higher storage modulus than the isotropic MRE, approximately 0.6 MPa of increment in the strain sweep test, in an on-state condition. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated from strain, frequency and the current sweep test that the rheological properties of fountain-like MRE related to storage modulus and magnetorheological (MR) effect are higher compared to the inverted fountain-like MRE.