XμCT analysis of magnetic field-induced phase transitions in magnetorheological elastomers

• Published in: Smart materials and structures Vol. 21; no. 10; pp. 105018 - 1-7
• Main Authors: Borbáth, T, Günther, S, Yu Borin, D, Gundermann, Th, Odenbach, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.10.2012; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Columnar structure; Composites; Elastomers; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Frequency distribution; Iron; Magnetic fields; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Quantitative analysis; Technology of polymers; Tomography; X-rays; Particle size; Magnetorheological elastomer; Polymerization; Iron; Dispersion reinforced material; X ray diffraction; Composite material; Computerized tomography; Materials preparation; Magnetic field effect; Dipolar interaction; Phase transformation; Microstructure; Silicone elastomer
• ISSN: 0964-1726; 1361-665X
• DOI: 10.1088/0964-1726/21/10/105018

The phase behavior of polymer solutions and composites is a complex issue and is of both technological and fundamental interest. For a better understanding of the microstructure formation in magnetorheological (MR) elastomers, x-ray micro-computed tomography (XμCT) investigations were carried out. Magnetorheological elastomers with 5% mass content of iron powder were prepared under different magnetic field strengths between 1 and 220 kA m−1. Through quantitative analysis, valuable information was obtained regarding the number, size and frequency distribution of column structures in MR elastomers, as well as the magnetic field required to force structure formation.