A hybrid magnetic-sensitive flexible structure with tunable energy absorption performance

Abstract A novel intelligent cushioning magnetic-sensitive flexible (MSF) structure has been developed by infiltrating magnetorheological plastomer (MRP) into the honeycomb structure of magnetorheological elastomer (MRE). This unique approach effectively combines the shear thickening behavior of MRP with the magnetically sensitive characteristic of magnetorheological materials, resulting in a flexible structure that demonstrates tunable energy absorption performance. Rheological analysis reveals that both MRE and MRP exhibit outstanding MR effect, achieving 127.48% and 1095.99%, respectively. MRP demonstrates a pronounced shear thickening effect, which is further enhanced with increasing magnetic flux density. Moreover, quasi-static compression tests demonstrate that increasing the compression rate and magnetic flux density favorably enhance the Young’s modulus and energy absorption of MSF structure. Among them, the energy absorption of MSF at a strain of 50% increased by 29.55%, and the Young’s modulus increased by 113.04% when the current was raised from 0 to 5 A. Finally, finite element analysis was conducted to verify the impact of shear thickening of MRP and the MR effect of MR materials on the stress distribution of MSF during compression and their contribution to energy absorption. This approach provides an innovative concept for designing novel intelligent soft cushioning materials, with broad applications in the field of smart protection.