Polymeric composite foams with properties controlled by the magnetic field

Polymeric foams with embedded magnetic particles is a new class of lightweight systems that could lead to relevant industrial applications both for their enhanced directional passive mechanical properties and for their sensitivity to magnetic field that can be used to control the mechanical behavior. This paper is aimed to present the magnetomechanical properties of this novel class of functionalized lightweight composite materials, based on polymeric matrices and with suitable distributions of magnetosensitive micro-sized particles. The result of the ad hoc magnetic field application during the foaming process is a tailored degree of both structural and functional anisotropy without affecting the morphology of the cells, and the optimization of the reinforcing efficiency along one direction. The induced particle distribution can be then utilized for a real-time control of structural and functional properties under working conditions. © 1965-2012 IEEE.