ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a study of the properties of magneto-sensitive (MS) elastomers in the audible frequency range of 100 to 1000 Hz. The dynamic behaviour in the audible frequency range for a magneto-sensitive silicone rubber is experimentally investigated. It is subjected to a constant shear deformation at varying frequencies and to an externally applied magnetic field. Rubber is frequently used to decouple the source from the receiver to reduce unwanted energy transmission through vibrations. The large utility of magneto-sensitive rubber in the audible frequency range as a noise reduction tool becomes through analysis of experimental results obvious. The fact that MS rubber responds to a given magnetic field with larger stiffness the smaller the amplitude becomes, makes it even more suitable since displacement amplitudes and corresponding strains are usually small in the audible frequency range. Finally, unlike conventional rubber considered linear for small strains, magneto-sensitive rubber displays a strong amplitude dependence even for the smallest strains.
