Detailed Mechanism and Engineering Applicability of Electrolytic Polymerization Aided by a Magnetic Field in Natural Rubber by Mechanical Approach for Sensing (Part 1): The Effect of Experimental Conditions on Electrolytic Polymerization

Abstract

Ordinary electrolytic polymerization has involved plastic-type polymer solutions. Rubber, especially natural rubber, is one such polymer solution. Rubber has not been focused on until recently due to the fact that electrolytic polymerization has only a very small effect on rubber. However, when we focus on the C=C bonds of natural rubber, the same electrolytic polymerization is applicable to be enlarged on the natural rubber if a magnetic field and a filler are added. With the application of a magnetic field and a magnetic responsive fluid such as magnetic compound fluid (MCF), the effect of electrolytic polymerization on NR-latex such as plastic-type polymer solutions is enhanced, and the thickness of the vulcanized MCF rubber grows in a short time. The present new method of vulcanization of MCF rubber is effective enough that it is widely used in haptic sensors in various engineering applications. In the present report, as mechanical approach for the sensing, by measuring the temperature under electrolytic polymerization, by investigating the electric and dynamic characteristics, and by observing the magnified appearance of the MCF rubber, we clarified the extrinsic effects of many experimental conditions, including magnetic field strength, applied voltage, the electrodes gap, mass concentration, and the ingredients of the MCF. This report is Part 1, to be followed by another sequential report, Part 2, in which other intrinsic effects on the characteristics are dealt with. The experimental conditions used and the results obtained in the present report provide valuable data that will be useful in the making of MCF rubber.

Detailed Mechanism and Engineering Applicability of Electrolytic Polymerization Aided by a Magnetic Field in Natural Rubber by Mechanical Approach for Sensing (Part 2): Other and Intrinsic Effects on MCF Rubber Property

“…When MCF rubber is utilized in a haptic sensor, more effects must be investigated apart from the parameters investigated in the previous report [5]. The figures shown in this section are the results of using the same experimental procedures used in the previous report [3].…”

“…Therefore, here in part 2, we conducted an experiment involving doping the MCF rubber and investigating the effect of the doping on the electrical properties of the MCF rubber. As shown in part 1 of this study [5], the experimental condition can be understood to be one of extrinsic effect on the MCF rubber. We can understand that the doping is situated on one of extrinsic effect on the MCF rubber and the intrinsic effect, for example, Piezo effect is occurred by the doping.…”

“…From the effects of magnetic field strength, the electrodes gap, etc. on the electrical characteristics of the MCF rubber as shown in part 1 [5], it was clarified that the magnetic cluster has an important role in the mechanism by which electric current flows within MCF rubber. The result can be confirmed by another investigation of the electrical conductivity of MCF rubber liquid under the application of a magnetic field, as shown in Fig.…”

“…A1 in the Appendix [5], which clarified that the electric current can flow easily through the magnetic clusters. In addition, in the case of the vulcanization of MCF rubber, it was clarified that the effects of the experimental conditions are due to the correlation of the magnetic cluster and the electrolytic polymerization as shown in part 1 of this study [5].…”

“…The previous report, part 1 of this study, has investigated the effect of the detailed experimental conditions on this new method of electrolytic polymerization: the applied voltage and electric current; the magnetic field strength; the concentration of particles of the MCF; the electrodes gap; the ingredients of MCF rubber, etc. [5]. We clarified the effects of the experimental conditions on the new method by investigating its electric and dynamic characteristics as mechanical approach for sensing.…”