Dynamic compression testing of a tunable spring element consisting of a magnetorheological elastomer

Magnetorheological elastomers (MRE) are interesting candidates for active vibration control of structural systems. In this study, spring elements consisting of magnetorheological elastomer were prepared and tested in dynamic compression to study the changes in their stiffness and vibration damping characteristics under the influence of a magnetic field. Aligned and isotropic magnetorheological elastomer composites were prepared and their mechanical properties were characterized in cyclic compression passively and with increasing magnetic flux density. It was noted that when measured in a magnetic field both the dynamic spring constants and the loss factor values of aligned MREs were increased compared to the zero-field values. The dynamic stiffness of aligned MRES increased with increasing testing frequency and it was tunable with magnetic flux density in the studied frequency range. The loss factor of aligned MREs was also tunable with the magnetic flux density but the absolute values also depend on the testing frequency. On the basis of these results, the MREs are applicable as tunable spring elements for active vibration control.