Magnetostriction, elastic moduli, and coupling factors of composite Terfenol-D

Abstract

Recently it was discovered that composites of Terfenol-D alloys with an insulating binder produce very large magnetostrictions. Resistivities of these composites reach high values, making them attractive for high-frequency applications which require small eddy current losses. In this paper the magnetostriction, magnetization, and Young’s moduli measurements made under constant magnetic field conditions and under constant flux conditions are reported. From these measurements, magnetomechanical coupling factors are calculated. The properties are compared to those of ordinary metallic Terfenol-D and nickel. Two different types of composites were investigated. In the first type the composite has an isotropic structure and in the second type, anisotropic. It is shown that the anisotropic type is more desirable since it possesses both higher magnetostriction and higher coupling factors. It is also clearly shown that the magnetization process for the anisotropic type can be explained by a 180° domain wall motion followed by a magnetization rotation.