Magnetorheological Elastomer-Based Variable Stiffness Flexible Coupling for Vibration Isolation.
Magnetorheological elastomers (MRE) are smart composite materials by which their mechanical properties, such as stiffness, are changed under a magnetic field. In this article, the introduction of a variable stiffness coupling (VSC) fitted within a shaft for torsional vibration isolation that would adapt and change its attenuation frequency range is presented. The VSC concept on torsional vibration isolation is tested experimentally. MRE samples with 40% volume fraction are fabricated and manufactured using a 3D mold design and fixed within a coupling in a shaft to investigate the magnetic field effect on the torsional rigidity. Impact hammer test is conducted along with an accelerometer to obtain the transmissibility factor analysis. Results show that the vibration level decreases when the magnetic field increases. The 1st natural frequency of the system happened at 26 Hz and moved to 28 Hz when the applied current increases from 0 mT to 12.38 mT. MRE torsional stiffness increased from 37.4 N.m/rad to 61.6 N.m/rad when the current increased from 0 mT to 12.38 mT. The torsional damping coefficient showed a fluctuation in its variation as the damping effect of MR elastomer is ignored