3D magnetostrictive Preisach model for the analysis of magneto-electric composites

Abstract

In the present contribution, we compare numerical simulations of magneto-electric composites with experimental measurements. The coupling between electric polarization and magnetization of such materials can improve the operation of sensors and actuators and can enable new technical devices. These composites consist of a ferroelectric and a magnetostrictive phase and generate the ME coupling as a strain-induced product property. However, the responses of the individual phases are highly nonlinear. It is important to predict the behaviors of both phases in an appropriate manner to ensure a realistic prediction of the magneto-electric coefficient. Therefore, we simulate the nonlinear ferroelectric hysteresis curves based on the ferroelectric and ferroelastic switching behavior of the spontaneous polarization directions on the submicroscopic level. Therefore, a switching criterion considering the change in the free energy is evaluated. For the simulation of the magnetostrictive behavior, we derive in this contribution a three-dimensional Preisach model. For this, the classical scalar Preisach model acts on a rotational time-dependent magnetization vector. After a homogenization approach within the finite-element ( $$\hbox {FE}^2$$ )-method, the effective macroscopic hysteresis curves are obtained. Furthermore, the magneto-electric coefficient is obtained from the homogenization and compared with experimental measurements in terms of magnitude and nonlinear behavior.