Optimizing the structural shape of magneto-rheological elastomers for enhanced performance

Smart materials that can change their stiffness and damping properties in response to external changes are being utilized in a variety of applications, including structural control and vibration dampening. Magnetorheological elastomers (MREs), a type of smart material, exhibit changes in stiffness or damping performance when exposed to an external magnetic field. This unique property of MR materials is an advantage and can be utilized in damping system. In order to utilize MR materials in vibration dampening devices, it is important to maximize the dynamic properties of the device. To enhance the change in dynamic properties when a magnetic field is applied, topology optimization was used to find the design that maximizes the change in natural frequency, which is one of the important parameters indicating dynamic properties. The material properties of MR were reproduced using data from existing literature, and analysis was performed. The volume fraction was changed in order to optimize the topology. It was observed that the natural frequency increased by over 40% compared to the original when the volume fraction was set to 50%. The volume fraction with the largest difference was identified. This study can serve as a fundamental research for producing devices that reduce vibration.