Deflection Patterns on Strontium Ferrite/Iron Oxide/Ecoflex 00-30 Flexible Composites

In this work we have demonstrated a novel methodology on improving magnetic properties of flexible magnetic actuators. This was done by taking advantage of the exchange spring technique in which hard magnetic materials are enhanced by the addition of soft magnetic ones. Here we have combined iron oxide (Fe3O4) particles with strontium ferrite ones in a flexible matrix (Ecoflex 00–30) with the goal of increasing the bending capacity of samples when exposed to the same magnetic field. Results showed that, although a higher concentration of particles leads to higher stiffness, the addition of iron oxide particles to these composites has increased the bending capabilities. This technique offers another degree of freedom in the design of hard magnetic flexible materials, and can be used as a tool to manufacture soft magnetic robots with more complex capabilities.