Influence of polyurethane properties on mechanical performances of magnetorheological elastomers

Magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) are mainly composed of magnetizable particles and elastic polymer. The polymer matrix plays an important role in mechanical performances of MREs. In this study, the polyurethane (PU), which is synthesized by using toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and poly (propylene glycol) (PPG-220), is selected as a matrix because it has better degradation stability than natural rubber and higher mechanical stability than silicone rubber. Four different MRE samples were fabricated by adjusting the reaction molar ratio of TDI to PPG to change the property of PU matrix. Structural characterization of the PU matrix was described by Fourier transform infrared analysis. The microstructures of samples were observed by using an environmental scanning electron microscope. The mechanical performances of samples, including shear modulus, magnetorheological effect (MR) effect, loss factor, and glass transition temperature (Tg), were characterized with dynamic mechanical analyzer. The results show that the shear modulus, the relative magnetic residual shear modulus and glass transition temperatures of samples increase with the increment of toluene diisocyanate, while the relative MR effects and loss factors decrease steadily. The experimental results indicate that optimal molar ratio (TDI : PPG) is 3 : 1. The field-induced shear modulus of sample with molar ratio 3 : 1 is 4.9 MPa, and the relative MR effect is 121% under an external magnetic field of 800 mT at room temperature.