Effect of compounding principles on thermal, mechanical and magnetic performance of soft magnetic polymethylmethacrylate/Fe3O4 nanocomposites

In this study, the effect of compounding principles on the properties of Polymer Bonded Soft Magnetic Nanocomposites (PBSMNs) was discussed. The polymethylmethacrylate /Fe3O4 magnetic nanocomposites (Fe3O4: 30 wt%) were prepared by the in situ process based on the solution and spray drying method, as well as by the ex situ process based on the kneading machine. As reference, the process combining these two compounding principles was also carried out for the PBSMN preparation, named as in-between process. The morphology structures, thermal, mechanical and magnetic properties of the magnetic nanocomposites achieved with different compounding principles were characterized. The results show that compounding principles have significant influence on the properties of the magnetic polymer nanocomposites. In the end, their contributions to the power electronic applications were discussed as well.