Magnetostriction and hysteresis of ⟨1 1 0⟩ oriented Tb0.29Dy0.48Ho0.23Fe2 single crystal

Abstract

Magnetostriction behaviour and magnetostriction hysteresis of the single crystal alloy Tb0.29Dy0.48Ho0.23Fe2 are investigated experimentally and theoretically. The oriented ⟨1 1 0⟩ single crystals of the magnetostrictive alloy Tb0.29Dy0.48Ho0.23Fe2 are successfully prepared by the optical floating zone melting method. The single crystals are characterized by optical metallography, x-ray diffraction and x-ray Laue back-reflection measurement. The giant magnetostrictive properties are achieved in a wide operating temperature range from −60 to 80 °C. The calculated magnetostriction of the present alloy is reduced by only 6%, but the magnetostriction hysteresis (Wh) is reduced by more than 30%, compared with the traditional Terfenol-D giant magnetostrictive alloy. The magnetostriction behaviour is modelled using phenomenological theory. The rotation paths of magnetic domain moments are mathematically calculated and hence the resultant magnetostriction is obtained. The theoretical model of magnetostriction hysteresis Wh is proposed and the intrinsic factors of Wh are determined, which can well explain the pre-stress and temperature dependence of magnetostriction hysteresis.