Investigation into the magnetic disturbance phenomenon in magnetorheological elastomer tensile testing.

Magnetorheological Elastomers (MRE) are smart materials whose physical properties are altered by the application of magnetic fields. Due to their controllable stiffness, they become one of the best candidates for industrial applications like active and vibration control of the structural system. However, basic mechanical properties under tensile loading are still unclear and lacking, particularly when magnetic stimulation is used during testing. Furthermore, the procedure for collecting data from tensile loading with the magnetic application throughout the test has not been thoroughly discussed. The strength of the magnetic flux, particularly within the gauge length area, disturbs the MRE sample for testing involving the high strain. This phenomenon must be investigated because it reduces the accuracy of the data collected, thereby influencing the final design of MRE in real-world applications. In this paper, the disturbance phenomenon that occurs in large strain tension MRE is explored. The MRE sample was made following the Type 4 - ISO-37 test standard. The sample was prepared with 60% carbonyl iron particles (CIPs) embedded in a silicone rubber matrix and cured without being magnetically influenced (isotropic). The tensile properties were determined using the ASTM D412 test standard and quasi-static tensile loading at 50 mm/min. Magnetic stimulation of 50 mT from a permanent magnet setup during tensile loading had a significant effect on the gauge length of the sample and shifted the strain by approximately 180%. This rarely discussed phenomenon was further investigated morphologically using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and the first micrography on this disturbance to tensile loading was established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]