Orienting lignocellulosic fibers and particles by means of a magnetic field

Fiber and particle alignment in composite materials may be used to tailor material and object properties to specific performance requirements. The present research demonstrates that alignment of ferromagnetically modified slender wood particles in magnetic fields is feasible. Magnetic torque, which causes rotation, increases linearly with the amount of magnetic material on particle surfaces. Below magnetic saturation, magnetic torque increases with increasing strength of the applied field; closer to magnetic saturation, torque becomes less dependent on the applied field strength. Magnetic torque maxima occur at field-to-particle axis angles above 45°. Polarity switches of the applied magnetic field increase particle rotation rates and may counter permanent magnetization, which otherwise tends to impede full particle alignment.

Duke Scholars

Author Stefan Zauscher Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materia ...