Fabrication and characterization of isotropic magnetorheological elastomers

This paper presents a new method to fabricate isotropic magnetorheological (MR) elastomers under natural conditions. In the absence of a magnetic field, a variety of MR elastomer samples made of carbonyl iron particles, silicon rubber and silicone oil, were fabricated. Their dynamic viscoelastic properties were characterized by a measurement system developed by our group. Also, the microstructure of the samples was observed by a scanning electron microscope. The effects of iron particles and additives on the MR effect and the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. Furthermore, a simple self-assembled microstructure was proposed to explain the inherent magnetoviscoelasticity of MR elastomers prepared in the absence of a magnetic field. The analytical results of the model are in agreement with experimental data. The study is also expected to provide a good guide for designing and preparing new MR elastomers. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.