**7. Conclusions**

The experimental tests conducted on the MRE samples, prepared with silicon elastomeric matrix and iron-carbonyl particles, were designed to evaluate their characteristics with respect to their potential application as vibration isolators.

A theoretical model determined the optimal volume fraction of the magnetic particles to maximize the magneto-rheological e ffect of the materials. Based on the theoretical results, several anisotropic MRE samples were prepared and tested using an experimental setup designed specifically for this study.

The experimental results demonstrated the wide variation in sti ffness that can be achieved when such material is subjected to a magnetic field in both compression and shear tests; the material can, therefore, be used as a smart component of a semi-active vibration isolator.

Based on the test results, a visco-elastic model was developed to describe the sample's dynamic behavior. This model can be used to develop a control algorithm for a semi-active vibration isolation system and to simulate its behavior.

**Author Contributions:** All the authors participated in the: conceptualization, investigation, writing, and revision phases. G.D.M. took care of the experimental setup development and laboratory tests, R.B. developed the numerical models, and S.P. took care the results analysis. Funding was acquired by R.B. and G.D.M.

**Funding:** This research was funded by University of Naples Federico II under the project D.R.N.

**Acknowledgments:** The authors are grateful to Giuseppe Iovino and Gennaro Stingo for their collaboration during the setup construction and the execution of laboratory tests.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
