A study of the magnetic fatigue properties of a magnetorheological elastomer

In this study, the magnetic fatigue properties of a magnetorheological elastomer were evaluated with and without a magnetic field. To accomplish the process, a magnetic fatigue tester and magnetorheological elastomer samples were designed and fabricated. The mechanical properties of the magnetorheological elastomer were determined under various fatigue cycle numbers and fatigue frequencies with and without a magnetic field. The shear modulus of the magnetorheological elastomer was also measured before and after the test to evaluate its mechanical properties. The results show that the shear modulus of the magnetorheological elastomer was larger in the presence of a magnetic field and decreased as the number of fatigue cycles increased because the internal structure became loose. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the internal structure of the magnetorheological elastomer was loose under repeated application of magnetic fields.