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. 2022 Apr 30;15(9):3238.
doi: 10.3390/ma15093238.

Development of a Performance-Enhanced Hybrid Magnetorheological Elastomer-Fluid for Semi-Active Vibration Isolation: Static and Dynamic Experimental Characterization

Abdelrahman Ali  1 , Ayman M H Salem  2 , Asan G A Muthalif  1 , Rahizar Bin Ramli  2 , Sabariah Julai  2
Affiliations

Development of a Performance-Enhanced Hybrid Magnetorheological Elastomer-Fluid for Semi-Active Vibration Isolation: Static and Dynamic Experimental Characterization

Abdelrahman Ali et al. Materials (Basel). .

Abstract

Magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) are a class of emerging smart materials in which their mechanical and rheological properties can be immediately and reversibly altered upon the application of a magnetic field. The change in the MRE properties under the magnetic field is widely known as the magnetorheological (MR) effect. Despite their inherent viscoelastic property-change characteristics, there are disadvantages incorporated with MREs, such as slow response time and the suspension of the magnetic particles in the elastomer matrix, which depress their MR effect. This study investigates the feasibility of a hybrid magnetorheological elastomer-fluid (MRE-F) for longitudinal vibration isolation. The hybrid MRE-F is fabricated by encapsulating MR fluid inside the elastomer matrix. The inclusion of the MR fluid can enhance the MR effect of the elastomer by providing a better response to the magnetic field and, hence, can improve the vibration isolation capabilities. For this purpose, an MRE-based coupling is developed, and isolation performance is investigated in terms of the linear transmissibility factor. The performance of the hybrid MRE-F was compared against two different MRE samples. The results show that further enhancement of MR-effect in MREs is possible by including MR fluid inside the elastomer. The hybrid MRE-F exhibited better stiffness change with the current increase and recorded the highest value of 55.911 N/mm. The transmissivity curves revealed that the MRE-F contributed to a broader shift in the natural frequency with a 7.2 Hz overall shift at 8.9 mT. The damping characteristics are higher in MRE-F, recording the highest percentage increase in damping with 33.04%. Overall, the results reveal the promising potential of hybrid MRE-F in developing MRE-based coupling for longitudinal vibration isolation.

Keywords: hybrid materials; magnetorheological elastomers; magnetorheological fluids; transmissibility factor; vibration isolation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 12
Figure 12
The relative MR-effect of the hybrid MRE samples under different magnetic fields.
Figure 1
Figure 1
The distribution of the magnetic particles in MREs with and without magnetic field.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Model representing the base excitation of the hybrid MRE coupling: (1) accelerometer; (2) coils; (3) hybrid MRE; (4) coupling hub; (5) impedance sensor; (6) vibration shaker.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Hybrid MRE material mold design; (a) exploded view: 1—upper plate; 2—middle plate; 3—Styrofoam piece; 4—lower plate. (b) Isometric view of the assembled mold. (c) Front view showing the position of the Styrofoam inside the mold.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Schematic of the fabrication of the hybrid MRE materials.
Figure 5
Figure 5
(a) Exploded view: 1—upper coupling hub; 2—coils; 3—MRE-layer; 4—lower coupling hub; (b) drawing view of MRE-based coupling (unit: in mm).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Experimental setup: (1) accelerometer, (2) hybrid MRE-based coupling, (3) impedance sensor, (4) vibration shaker, (5) regulated power supply, (6) data acquisition system, (7) computer with signal analyzing software, and (8) tesla meter.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Schematic representation of the experimental setup.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Schematic diagram of the compression testing machine: (1) moving stroke, (2) load cell, (3) wooden compression plates, (4) hybrid MRE-coupling, (5) position control unit, (6) compression direction, (7) power supply, and (8) computer.
Figure 9
Figure 9
The magnetic field generated within the electromagnetic coils against the supplied current.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Load-displacement curves for MRE-F, MRE-S, and MRE-H.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Percentage increase in stiffness for MRE-F, MRE-S, and MRE-H.
Figure 13
Figure 13
The linear transmissibility factor for MRE-F, MRE-S, and MRE-H.
Figure 14
Figure 14
Percentage increase in natural frequency for MRE-F, MRE-S, and MRE-H.
Figure 15
Figure 15
The reduction percentage curve for MRE-F, MRE-S, and MRE-H.
Figure 16
Figure 16
The percentage increase in the damping coefficient for MRE-F, MRE-S, and MRE-H.
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