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

Abstract

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.