Magneto-sensitive elastomers (MSE) are self-adjusting materials. They
are able to react in a target-oriented acting to changes in operating or
environmental conditions. Prepared by mixing magnetic fillers within the
rubber matrix, the performance of MSE mainly depends on the filler
particles, the vulcanisation process and the applied external magnetic
field during use. It was found that the magnetic filler strongly affects
the reinforcement potential of MSE as well as its sensitivity to
external magnetic field. By curing in an external magnetic field,
anisotropic samples with oriented magnetic filler particles can be
prepared. The distribution of magnetic filler particles within the MSE
samples considerably influence the magneto-mechanical response of MSE.
The micromechanical dynamical flocculation model was used to model the
measurement data. Some fit parameters were governed by the external
magnetic field during application, confirming that changing the magnetic
properties of the surroundings inevitably influences the
magneto-mechanical properties of MSE.