The dynamic performance of magnetic-sensitive elastomers under impact loading

This work presents the impact response of magnetic-sensitive elastomer (MSE) under combined mechanical and magnetic loads. Two types of MSE specimens with iron particles (spheres) embedded uniformly or in chain-like arrangement in a rubber matrix are prepared by our group. Their dynamic behaviors are studied by a drop hammer-based experimental set-up with magnetic field generator. A numerical simulation method based on magneto-structural coupling is also provided. Both the experimental measurement and the numerical simulation demonstrate that the peak acceleration increases, and oscillation period and the total mitigation time decreases with increasing magnetic field intensity, for any type of MSE. Also, the chain-like structure enhances the trend above further. The failure mode for both types is matrix crushing, which occur at the positions between adjacent spheres within a chain where the impact and magnetic forces are superimposed.