Determination of reliable fatigue life predictors for magnetorheological elastomers under dynamic equi-biaxial loading

Fatigue life prediction is of great significance in ensuring magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) based rubber components exhibit reliability and do not compromise safety under complex loading, and this necessitates the development of plausible fatigue life predictors for MREs. In this research, silicone rubber based MREs were fabricated by incorporating soft carbonyl iron magnetic particles. Equi-biaxial fatigue behaviour of the fabricated MREs was investigated by using the bubble inflation method. The relationship between fatigue life and maximum engineering stress, maximum strain and strain energy density were studied. The results showed that maximum engineering stress and stored energy density can be used as reliable fatigue life predictors for SR based MREs when they are subjected to dynamic equi-biaxial loading. General equations based on maximum engineering stress and strain energy density were developed for fatigue life prediction of MREs.     

Effect of Cyclic Deformation on Magnetorheological Elastomers

Fatigue properties of magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) samples were investigated based on cis-polybutadiene rubber by using a fatigue test machine. Three MRE samples with iron particles mass fraction of 60%, 70%, and 80% were fabricated, and their properties dependence of three strain amplitudes (50%, 75%, and 100%) were measured. The absolute magnetorheological (MR) effect, storage modulus, and loss modulus of MRE samples after fatigue were evaluated by a modified dynamic mechanical analyzer. The results revealed that MR effect, storage modulus, and loss modulus of MREs containing 80% iron particles depended strongly on the strain amplitudes and the number of cycles, while storage mod-ulus and loss modulus of MREs containing 70% iron particles also depended on the strain amplitudes and the number of cycles but not as strongly as sample which contains 80% iron particles, but the properties of MREs containing 60% iron particles after cyclic deforma-tion were almost independent of the fatigued conditions. In order to investigate the fatigue mechanism of MREs, the sample was carried out with a quasi-static tensile testing and its surface morphology during testing was observed in situ by scanning electron microscopy.     

Influence of particle coating on dynamic mechanical behaviors of magnetorheological elastomers

In this paper, core-shell structured poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) coated carbonyl iron (CI) particles were prepared to study the influence of particle coating on the dynamic properties of magnetorheological elastomers (MREs). The CI-PMMA composite particles were encapsulated via an emulsion polymerization method. Two MRE samples were prepared with CI-PMMA composite particles and CI particles, respectively. Their microstructure was observed by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Dynamic properties of these two samples under various strain and magnetic fields were measured with a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). The experimental results indicate that the MRE sample with CI-PMMA composite particles has larger storage modulus, smaller loss factor and smaller Payne effect than that of the sample with only CI particles. The analysis indicates that the use of CI-PMMA particles would increase the bond strength between particles and matrix. These experimental results were also verified by the SEM images.     

Magnetic field intensity effect on plane electric capacitor characteristics and viscoelasticity of magnetorheological elastomer

Magnetorheological (MR) elastomer was prepared using silicone rubber and soft magnetic carbonyl iron microspheres, and then examined as dielectric materials for manufacturing electric capacitors. As a specific element, capacity of the capacitors located in a magnetic field was found to be sensitive to both the MR suspension proportion to the silicone rubber and the intensity of the applied magnetic field. Viscoelastic characteristics of the MR elastomer, represented by storage modulus and creep behavior, were also studied.     

Compressive properties of magnetorheological elastomer with different magnetic fields and types of filler

Magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) specimens were prepared to find the optimum compressive characteristics using different types and amounts of iron powder. A magnetic field of up to 2 T was applied during vulcanization. Among the four types of iron powders, the specimen with round‐shaped carbonyl iron powder and small grain size shows higher magnetic effects than that with bigger and irregularly shaped electrolyte iron powder. However, the compressive modulus of the rubber with electrolyte iron powder is higher without magnetic treatment at a given amount. In general, the bigger and irregularly shaped iron particles tend to move slowly and produce nonuniform distribution when a magnetic field is applied. The experimental results show that the mechanical properties are better when applying a magnetic field of 1.5 T compared with 2.0 T during the specimen vulcanization. Applying a magnetic field of 300 mT during the compression test enhanced the compressive modulus by 12% to 15%. The rate of increase of the modulus decreased exponentially with prestrain.     

聚乙二醇包裹羰基铁核壳粒子的制备及水基磁流变液的性能

以羰基铁粉(CI)为原料用共溶胶-凝胶反应制备CI/聚乙二醇核壳复合粒子，并将其与水组成了磁流变液. 用SEM、TEM、FT-IR和VSM表征了核壳复合粒子的微观结构和静磁特性，并测试了水基磁流变液的性能. 结果表明，核壳复合粒子表面有SiO_x和聚乙二醇的包覆层，它有较好的亲水性和优良的软磁特性，用它组成的水基磁流变液具有抗沉降性优良、零场粘度低、磁流变效应显著等特点.     

Cholesteryl-coated carbonyl iron particles with improved anti-corrosion stability and their viscoelastic behaviour under magnetic field

In principle, bare particles used in magnetorheological suspensions exhibit apparent corrosion instability. To suppress substantially this adverse phenomenon, the carbonyl iron particles modified with cholesteryl group (CI-chol) were suspended in silicone oil. There was found a deterioration of magnetorheological efficiency in comparison when only bare carbonyl iron (CI) particles are used; nevertheless, from the viewpoint of applicability, this change is fully acceptable. However, an anti-corrosion stability was significantly improved. Furthermore, dynamic oscillatory measurements and other characterizations were carried out and analyzed when both CI and CI-chol particles are applied.     

Core–shell-structured silica-coated magnetic carbonyl iron microbead and its magnetorheology with anti-acidic characteristics

We synthesized silica-coated soft magnetic carbonyl iron (CI) particles through a modified Stöber method, in which the CI particles were pretreated with a grafting agent to enhance the affinity of a precursor of silica. Synthesized magnetic microbeads were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and anti-acid test in HCl solution. Silica-coated CI shows not only improved wettability to silicone oil with a lower off-state shear viscosity as a better magnetorheological fluid under an applied magnetic field but also enhanced anti-acidic property.     

Analysis and Verification on the Chain-like Model with Normal Distribution of Magnetorheological Elastomer

Magnetorheological elastomer （MRE） is a new kind of smart materials, the rheological properties can be controlled rapidly by the external magnetic field. It is mainly composed of rubber and micron-sized ferromagnetic particles, which forms a chain-like structure. Therefore its mechanical, electric, and magnetic properties can be changed by the applied magnetic field, which is called as the magneto-induced effect. But this effect is not remarkable enough currently for the engineering application. So it is important for material preparation to optimize parameters to enhance the magneto-induced effect. In this work, based on chain-like model, some factors influencing the magneto-induced effect of MRE were analyzed theoretically by using dipole method with the normal distribution of chain＇s angle introduced. The factors included the oblique angle of particles chains, magnetic field intensity, and shear strain, etc. Some experiments were also carried out.     

Experimental characterization and viscoelastic modeling of isotropic and anisotropic magnetorheological elastomers

The paper presents experimental research and numerical modeling of dynamic properties of magnetorheological elastomers (MREs). Isotropic and anisotropic MREs have been prepared based on silicone matrix filled by micro-sized carbonyl iron particles. Dynamic properties of the isotropic and anisotropic MREs were determined using double-lap shear test under harmonic loading in the displacement control mode. Effects of excitation frequency, strain amplitude, and magnetic field intensity on the dynamic properties of the MREs were examined. Dynamic moduli of the MREs decreased with increasing the strain amplitude of applied harmonic load. The dynamic moduli and damping properties of the MREs increased with increasing the frequency and magnetic flux density. The anisotropic MREs showed higher dynamic moduli and magnetorheological (MR) effect than those of the isotropic ones. The MR effect of the MREs increased with the rise of the magnetic flux density. The dependence of dynamic moduli and loss factor on the frequency and magnetic flux density was numerically studied using four-parameter fractional derivative viscoelastic model. The model was fitted well to experimental data for both isotropic and anisotropic MREs. The fitting of dynamic moduli and loss factor for the isotropic and anisotropic MREs is in good agreement with experimental results.     

Structured elastomeric submillimeter films displaying magneto and piezo resistivity

Structured elastomer films (100–150 µm) presenting piezo and magneto resistance are described. The films are composites of filler particles, which are both electrically conductive and magnetic, dispersed in an elastomeric matrix. The particles consist of magnetite (6 nm) grouped in silver‐coated aggregates (Fe₃O₄@Ag). The matrix is styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) in which diethylene glycol (DEG) is added. The particles, SBR and DEG, are dispersed in toluene and then placed between two rare earth magnets. Formation of pseudo‐chains (needles) of inorganic material aligned in the direction of the magnetic field is obtained after solvent evaporation. The addition of DEG is substantial to obtain an electrically conductive material. The electrical conductivity is anisotropic and increases when applying normal stresses and/or magnetic fields in the direction of the needles. The elastomers, particles, and needless were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, FTIR, DSC, TGA, VSM, profilometry, and stress–strain analysis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 574–586     

Investigation of photo‐oxidative effect on morphology and degradation of mechanical and physical properties of nano CaCO3 silicone rubber composites

Photo‐oxidative degradation of treated and untreated nano CaCO₃: silicone rubber composite was studied under accelerated UV irradiation (≥290 nm) at different time intervals. Prolonged exposure to UV leads to a progressive decrease in mechanical and physical properties along with the change in behavior of filler‐matrix interaction. This was due to decrease in cross‐linking density with increase in mobility of rubber chains. Meanwhile, synthesized nano CaCO₃ was modified with stearic acid for uniform dispersion in rubber matrix. The increase in carbonyl (>CO), hydroxyl (? OH), CO₂, and alkene functional groups on the UV exposed surface of treated and untreated nano CaCO₃: silicone rubber composites at different time intervals was studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The change in morphological behavior of filler‐matrix interaction after UV exposure was studied using SEM. Overall, the study showed that the treated nano CaCO₃: silicone composites were affected more by UV exposure than untreated nano CaCO₃: silicone composites and pristine composite after UV exposure. This effect was due to peeling of stearic acid from the surface of CaCO₃, which makes the rubber chains slippery and thus separation of filler and rubber chains takes place with initiation of fast‐degradation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of carbon black on the mechanical performances of magnetorheological elastomers

Several magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) samples, with different weight percentages of carbon black, were fabricated under a constant magnetic field. Their microstructures were observed by using an environmental scanning electron microscope (SEM), and their mechanical performance including magnetorheological (MR) effect, damping ratio and tensile strength were measured with a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) system and an electronic tensile machine. The experimental results demonstrate that carbon black plays a significant role in improving the mechanical performance of MR elastomers. Besides the merits of high MR effect and good tensile strength, the damping ratio of such materials is much reduced. This is expected to solve a big problem in the application of MR elastomers in practical devices, such as in adaptive tuned vibration absorbers.     

A slender-body micromechanical model for viscoelasticity of magnetic colloids: comparison with preliminary experimental data

The storage modulus, G', together with the yield stress, is an essential quantity characterizing the rheological properties of magnetic field-responsive suspensions (magnetorheological fluids or MRF). In this work, we present both experimental and theoretical results on the viscoelastic properties of MRFs. Two MRFs are used: In one the solid phase consists of cobalt ferrite particles + silica gel, with silicone oil as liquid phase. The second system is formed by carbonyl iron + silica gel also dispersed in silicone oil. The cobalt ferrite particles are synthesized as monodisperse colloidal spheres with an average diameter of 850 nm. We describe a new model based on the slender-body approach for hydrodynamic interactions. The predictions of the model are compared to preliminary experimental G' data obtained in a controlled stress plate-plate rheometer. It is found that the model gives the correct order of magnitude for the highest fields in iron suspensions, but underestimates the experimental results obtained in ferrite ones. In the case of high permeability materials such as carbonyl iron, by the inclusion of high-order multipolar interactions and saturation effects we also predict the order of magnitude of the experimental results. When dealing with low permeability cobalt ferrite based MRFs, other effects, such as remanence (at low fields) and saturation (at high fields), must be considered.     

The Preparation of Light Magnetic Materials and it's Application on Magnetorheological Fluids

It is reported that preparation of magnetic material(nickel and cobalt) on the surface of light material. The density of the new material is low (Effective density of it is 2~3 g/cm3). The sedimental stability of the new magnetorheological fluid made by light magnetic material is similar to that of the MR fluid made by carbonyl nickel powders containing lots of anti-sedimental agent. The apparent viscosity of new MR fluids under magnetic field is dozens of times as high as the inital viscosity. Therefore the problem of settling of solid particles under gravity can be effectively prevented by manufacturing magnetorheological fluids using the new material.     

Ultrathin polydimethylsiloxane-coated carbonyl iron particles and their magnetorheological characteristics

An ultrathin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer with a mean thickness of 1 nm was coated on soft magnetic carbonyl iron (CI) particles by using a simple thermal evaporation process, and then their physical characteristics were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Magnetorheological (MR) fluid was prepared by using PDMS-coated CI powder, and its rheological behavior was investigated under different external magnetic field strengths using a rotational rheometer. The CI particles coated by a thin PDMS layer showed higher oxidation temperature than pristine CI particles and MR fluid consisting of PDMS-coated CI particles demonstrated better dispersion stability in a nonmagnetic carrier fluid.     

白炭黑增强型硅橡胶的组成及抗原子氧性能分析

为明确空间级硅橡胶的化学组成及填料添加对材料物理性能的影响, 采用填料复合方式制备硅橡胶高聚物材料, 并通过化学成分测试、 原子氧暴露试验及力学性能测试等研究其结构组成与物理性能. 经微观粒径测试得出硅橡胶中白炭黑填料粒径主要分布在8~16 μm; 经傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、 核磁共振波谱( ¹H NMR和 ²⁹Si NMR)和溶胶凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)测试得出硅橡胶中含有Si—Me, Si—Ph, Si—O—Si等基团和甲基、 苯基等官能团, 其分子量分散系数为1.56, 并进一步推断出硅橡胶的分子结构及基胶与交联剂的反应类型为脱羟胺型; 经原子氧暴露试验及力学试验证实, 与未改性白炭黑填充的硅橡胶高聚物材料相比, 经硅烷改性白炭黑填充的硅橡胶高聚物材料表现出更好的抗原子氧性能, 动态力学测试后储能模量高54%, 并具有更好的应力应变响应性能. 研究结果表明, 采用表面改性处理方式可增强填料与硅橡胶基质的相互作用, 从而提高填料复合型硅橡胶高聚物材料的抗原子氧性能及综合力学性能.     

Enhancement in Magnetorheological Effect of Magnetorheological Elastomers by Surface Modification of Iron Particles

In order to obtain magnetorheological (MR) elastomers with high magnetorheological effect, a family of anisotropic rubber-based MR elastomers was developed using a new form of chemical modification. Three different kinds of surfactants, i.e. anionic, nonionic and compound surfactants, were employed separately to modify iron particles. The MR effect was evaluated by measuring the dynamic shear modulus of MR elastomer with a magneto-combined dynamic mechanical analyzer. Results show that the relative MR effect can be up to 188% when the iron particles are modified with 15% Span 80. Besides the surface activity of Span 80, however, such high modifying effect is partly due to the plasticizing effect of Span 80. Compared with the single surfactant, the superior surface activity of compound surfactant makes the relative MR effect reach 77% at a low content of 0.4%. Scanning electron microscope observation shows that the modification of compound surfactant results in perfect compatibility between particles and rubber matrix and special self-assembled structure of particles. Such special structure has been proved beneficial to the improvement of the relative MR effect.     

Xanthan gum-coated soft magnetic carbonyl iron composite particles and their magnetorheology

The dispersion stability of carbonyl iron (CI)-based magnetorheological (MR) fluid was improved by coating soft magnetic CI particles with an environmentally benign biopolymer of xanthan gum to reduce the density gap between the medium oil and dispersed particles. The sedimentation test of the MR fluid showed that the xanthan gum/CI composite particles improved the sedimentation drawback of the pristine CI-based MR fluid. The rheological properties of the MR fluid were also examined using a rotational rheometer to observe the typical MR characteristics, such as yield stress and shear viscosity.     

Plasticity of soft magnetic elastomers

A simple rheological model is introduced to describe the plasticity in soft magnetic elastomers induced by an external field. In addition to the elasticity of the polymer matrix, the effect of dry friction (plasticity), which is provided by the rearrangement of the spatial structure of a dispersed magnetic subsystem in the course of the deformation of the material by a sufficiently strong field, is taken into account in the model. Model parameters are estimated from the reported experimental data on the deformation of cylindrical samples based on a soft silicon elastomer filled with quasispherical microparticles of carbonyl iron.