Production of silicone-based composite doped with waste NdFeB magnet and determination of mechanical properties by transforming experimental results into images

Waste neodymium–iron–boron (NdFeB)-doped silicon-based magnetic polymer composites are obtained by mixing the double-doped mixtures with a 70–30% ratio. In this study, composite materials were produced by adding NdFeB magnetic particles with sizes between 0–45, 45–63, 63–125, and over 125 (µm), and compression experiments were carried out to determine the mechanical properties of them. Experimental results were transformed into images and then analysed using image processing methods. According to the analysis of images representing the results of compression experiments, the strength values of NdFeB–RTV (vulcanized at room temperature) silicone rubber have increased by increasing the magnetic powder ratio. In addition, it was observed that there is a decrease in the elongation at break values due to weakening of polymer chain bonds. Considering the sensitivity of the successfully produced composite materials to the magnetic field, significant improvements in strength values were obtained. It is hoped that these results will lead to an increase in the recycling rate of waste magnets and will prevent environmental damage.