Simulation of the magnetostrictive performance of Terfenol-D in mechanical devices

Abstract

A dynamic simulation model has been developed. Registered data from static measurements of the magnetostrictive strain for different magnetizations and mechanical stresses are used as numerical input. Easy examination of differences in dynamic performance between samples of different compositions and manufacturing methods is also possible due to a computer-aided input data handling system. The shape of the imposed magnetization can be a step, impulse, sinusoidal, or an arbitrary function. The mechanical load can be a prescribed force against the magnetostrictive element or an arbitrarily chosen mechanical impedance. The model has been verified against dynamic measurements in an experimental setup for sinusoidal and impulse magnetizations. Comparison between the model and the experimental data reveals that the model is a powerful tool for designing magnetomechanical devices based on giant magnetostrictive materials.