Simulation of magneto-induced rearrangeable microstructures of magnetorheological plastomers

Magneto-induced microscopic particulate structures of magnetorheological plastomers (MRP) are investigated using particle-level dynamics simulation, as this is a basis for studying the macroscopic physical or mechanical properties of MRP. In the simulation, a modified magnetic dipolar interaction force model is proposed to describe the magnetic interaction of two close magnetized iron particles. Other microscopic analytical models of particle–particle and particle–matrix interactions are also constructed. The simulation results show that chain-like and column-like particulate structures are formed when MRP is placed into a steady uniform magnetic field. When MRP is subjected to a stepwise in-plane rotating magnetic field, the microstructure rearranges to form a layered structure parallel to the rotation plane. Moreover, some other patterns or complex magneto-induced rearrangeable microstructures can be achieved by spatially changing the external magnetic field. With the evolution of the microscopic particulate structure in every changing step of the external magnetic field, the microstructure dependent magnetic potential energy and stress state vary sharply at the beginning and then approach respective stable values gradually.