Effect of particle concentration on ferrogel magnetodeformation

The aim of this work is a theoretical study of deformation of ferrogels under the action of a uniform magnetic field. Our analysis shows that an increase of the particle concentration in the composite can qualitatively change the type of this deformation. When the particle concentration is small and they are randomly distributed in the matrix, the sample, depending on its shape, can either contract or elongate in the field direction. Composites with a high concentration of the particles can only elongate due to effect of the short ranged order of the particles spatial disposition. - Highlights: • Ferrogel can either contract or elongate in the magnetic field direction. • Short ranged order of particles spatial disposition changes the type of the deformation. • Short ranged order of particles spatial disposition depends on the particle concentration. • For the low concentrated composites the "Proscrustes effect" must take place. • Composites with high concentration of the particles can only elongate