An enhancement of mechanical and rheological properties of magnetorheological elastomer with multiwall carbon nanotubes

Abstract

In this work, a new type of magnetorheological elastomer, which is reinforced by carbon nanotubes, is fabricated and its material properties are experimentally investigated. In order to achieve this goal, as a first step, different types of multiwall carbon nanotubes are incorporated into a series of natural rubber–based magnetorheological elastomers as additives. Several experimental instruments such as X-ray diffractometer, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry are utilized. From the test, several salient properties of the proposed magnetorheological elastomer are observed or/and characterized. The results indicate that the interaction between natural rubber–based magnetorheological elastomers and multiwall carbon nanotubes can provide significant improvement in mechanical and rheological properties. More specifically, it is observed that mechanical properties such as tensile strength are enhanced up to 11% by the functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube. It is also found that the field-dependent storage and loss moduli of the proposed magnetorheological elastomer samples are increased compared to magnetorheological elastomer without multiwall carbon nanotube. It is finally identified that magnetorheological efficiency, which indicates force controllability by the magnetic field, of the proposed magnetorheological elastomer samples is consistent with the increased operating frequency. Therefore, it is expected that the results of morphological, thermal, and rheological properties parallel to incorporation of multiwall carbon nanotubes into magnetorheological elastomers are effectively used for proper selection of magnetorheological elastomer applications.