3D printing of shape memory magnetorheological elastomers composites

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has been widely used to process smart composites, due to their excellent flexibility and low cost. However, it still has challenge to prepare magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) with the shape-memory properties. Here, we report a 3D direct writing (DIW) printing technology for shape-memory magnetorheological elastomer (SMRE). SMRE inks with mass fractions of 50%, 60% and 70% magnetic particles were prepared by solution blending method. Then, the SMRE was prepared by DIW technology under the magnetic field, and the influence of different process parameters on the printing quality of the material was studied. Meanwhile, the electrical conductivity, shape memory and magnetic assisted driving properties of SMRE are studied. The experimental results show that SMRE can be prepared by DIW technology and driven by temperature, electricity and magnetic fields. Magnetic field assisted programming realizes the driving of soft gripper and increases the speed of SMRE windmill by 280%.