A microstructural-based approach to model magneto-viscoelastic materials at finite strains

Abstract

Magneto-active polymers (MAPs) consist of a polymeric matrix filled with magnetisable particles. MAPsmay change their mechanical properties (i.e., stiffness) and/or mechanical deformation upon the applica-tion of an external magnetic stimulus. Mechanical responses of MAPs can be understood as the combinedcontributions of both polymeric matrix and magnetic particles. Moreover, the magnetic response isdefined by the interaction between magnetisable particles and the external field. Common approachesto model MAPs are based on phenomenological continuum models, which are able to predict theirmagneto-mechanical behaviour but sometimes failed to illustrate specific features of the underlying phy-sics. To better understand the magneto-mechanical responses of MAPs and guide their design and man-ufacturing processes, this contribution presents a novel continuum constitutive model originated from amicrostructural basis. The model is formulated within a finite deformation framework and accounts forviscous (rate) dependences and magneto-mechanical coupling. After the formulations, the model is cal-ibrated with a set of experimental data. The model is validated with a wide range of experimental datathat show its predictability. Such a microstructurally-motivated finite strain model will help in designingMAPs with complex three-dimensional microstructures.