Study on Variable Stiffness Mechanism Using Magnetorheological Elastomer

In this study, variable stiffness elastic mechanism for the application to a vibration isolation system for precision motion mechanism was manufactured and its characteristics were evaluated. In order to understand the shear modulus and its variation as characteristics for vibration attenuation, magnetorheological elastomers based on a natural rubber matrix were fabricated and tested. Four types of carbonyl iron particles with different manufacturing methods were used, and the shear modulus and magnetorheological effects were measured by changing the volume fraction and applied magnetic field. A magnetorheological elastomer was manufactured by selecting carbonyl iron particles with high shear modulus and a large magnetorheological effect, and using this, a variable stiffness elastic mechanism with integrated electromagnets was manufactured. Variable stiffness characteristics of 3.67-6.75% were verified by testing the resonance frequency change according to the application of electromagnet current, and the thermal effect was experimentally observed.