Particle-reinforced elastomer model to analyse viscoelastic properties of flake-shaped electrolyte iron particle-based magnetorheological elastomer

• Published in: Smart materials and structures 2023-09, Vol.32 (9), p.95011
• Main Authors: Patel, Dipal, Upadhyay, Ramesh V, Mazlan, Saiful Amri
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: crosslink density; electrolyte iron particles; magneto-viscoelastic; magnetorheological elastomers (MREs); magnetorheometry; MR effect; particle-reinforced model
• ISSN: 0964-1726; 1361-665X
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-665X/ace573

This paper uses parallel-plate-plate rheometry to focus on the magnetic field-dependent nonlinear viscoelastic behaviour of flake-shaped electrolyte iron powder-based magnetorheological elastomer (MRE). MRE was prepared using liquid silicon rubber as a base, a curing agent and electrolyte iron particles as fillers. Three MRE samples having 60%, 40%, and 0% filler weight fractions were prepared. The curing was carried out at 300 K. The thickness of the sample was 1.00 ± 0.04 mm. Scanning electron microscopy results showed uniform dispersal of particles within a matrix. The swelling measurement technique was used to confirm the enhanced reinforced properties of elastomer by calculating the cross-link density. The magnetic volume fraction evaluated from magnetisation measurements yields values of 18.7% for MRE-60 and 8.7% for MRE-40. Both moduli’s field-induced linear and nonlinear amplitude dependence were analysed using the modified particle-reinforced elastomer model. The result indicates that filler particles adsorbed on polymer chains were essential in determining the reinforcing properties of MRE. The improved cross-link density and particle morphology were responsible for the enhanced field-induced magnetorheological effect (277%). This value is nearly three times greater than that observed in spherical particles-based MRE.