Attenuation and rheological analysis of magnetic field-induced responsiveness for the magnetorheological elastomer-based composite

A novel self-supporting multi-layer magnetorheological elastomer-based (MRE-based) composite with large magnetic field-induced responsiveness has been designed and fabricated. We characterized its morphological properties, evaluated the impact of fabrication conditions on its field-induced responsiveness, investigated attenuation of its field-induced responsiveness under different storage temperatures along with time and analyzed this mechanism from the perspective of rheology. The results showed that the MRE-based composite had homogeneous dispersing of the magnetic fillers and a clear interface between different layers. The field-induced responsiveness of the MRE-based composite could be affected by the fabrication conditions, and it attenuated at different rates when subjected to different storage temperatures along with time; its attenuation period lasted a few days under room temperature while over one month under low temperature (4 °C). The rheological analysis results indicated a long-term cross-linking process over the storage period along with the attenuation of field-induced responsiveness, which might lead to increasing elasticity (indicated by the loss factor tan δ) and rigidity (indicated by the storage modulus G′) of the MRE-based composite along with the storage period. What’s more, emerging feature of Payne effect could be found on MRE-based composite during cyclic shear, which indicated decline of the mechanical properties due to strain-induced inherent friction. On the other hand, the iron fillers in MRE layer could enhance the shear modulus and lead to MR effect (up to 187%) for the whole composite, which benefits to the magnetic field-induced responsiveness, due to the relative strengthen of the MRE layer against the assist layer. This work presents a better understanding on the attenuation of the field-induced responsiveness, which is important for the future application of the MRE-based composite.