Dynamic behaviors of magnetorheological fluid-elastomer composites under oscillatory compression

A new magnetorheological (MR) elastomer composite encapsulating MR fluid inside a polymer solid is presented. The mechanical properties of the MR composite sandwich system are controllable through an externally applied magnetic field. The dynamic behavior of the MR fluid-elastomer under various magnetic fields has been investigated by means of oscillatory compression cycles over a frequency range of 0.1 to 10Hz for various deformations (less than 1 mm). Energy dissipation in the material is analyzed as related to strain amplitude, strain frequency and magnetic field strength. The field induced damping mechanism is discussed in terms of the damping exponent. Such MR fluid-elastomer composites show promise in applications where tuning vibration characteristics of a system is desired such as altering natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping properties.