Magnetoresistive Effect in Magnetoactive Elastomers

A study of the influence of magnetic field on the resistivity of the magnetoactive (magnetorheological) elastomer has been conducted. The material consisted of a soft polymer matrix and magnetic fillers being powders of Fe, Ni, and the Fe-Nd-B alloy. Under the influence of the field with a value of 300 mT, the elastomer exhibited the magnetoresistive effect: The specific electric resistivity of the material was noticed to decrease by 3 orders. In addition, a significant dependency of the ability to conduct electric current was found on mechanical influence (piezoresistive effect) and combined influence of mechanical force and magnetic field. In the case considered, the behavior of the electroconductivity has a complex character.