Scanning Probe Microscopy of Magnetorheological Elastomers

Abstract

The shape and size distribution of micro- and nanoscale particles of a magnetoactive filler in an elastomeric matrix on the surface of a magnetorheological composite are determined by SEM and AFM methods. With the aid of AFM, the phenomena of the restructuring of particles of filler aggregates on the surface of elastomers under the action of a weak external constant magnetic field are directly visualized. A model is proposed for the interaction of the magnetoactive filler with the elastomeric matrix of a composite, which explains the observed experimental results.