Magneto-controlled friction behaviors of magnetorheological elastomers with cosine-shaped surface structure

This study investigated the friction behaviors of magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) with cosine-shaped surface structures under the magnetic field. First, a magneto-controlled friction model for such MREs was proposed, and the friction coefficient was determined using the friction binomial theory and magnetic dipole theory. Then, the effects of the amplitude and wavelength, and magnetic field on the friction coefficient were analyzed. Finally, MRE-glass sliding friction behaviors were investigated by using the newly established test rig. It was found that the contact stiffness and friction coefficient of the MREs decreased with increasing amplitude and decreasing wavelength, respectively, which was consistent with the theoretical model. Moreover, the variation rate of the friction coefficient was up to 41% under magnetic field regulation.