Analysis and fabrication of patterned magnetorheological elastomers

This paper presents analysis, fabrication and characterization of patterned magnetorheological (MR) elastomers. By taking into account the local magnetic field in MREs and particle interaction magnetic energy, the magnetic-field-dependent mechanical properties of MREs with lattice and BCC structures were theoretically analyzed and numerically simulated. Soft magnetic particles were assembled in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix to fabricate new MR elastomers with uniform lattice and BCC structures, which were observed by a microscope. The field-dependent moduli of the new MR elastomers were characterized by using a parallel-plate MR rheometer. The experimental results agreed well with numerical simulations.