Coupled magneto-mechanical response of laminate composites comprising a layer of Ni-Mn-Ga microparticles

Ni-Mn-Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloys (FSMAs), exhibiting a giant magnetic field induced strain (MFIS), high work output and fast response, are highly promising materials for emerging technologies to be used in automotive, aerospace, and robotics industries, among others. Their magnetic-to-mechanical energy conversion ability is characterized by the coupled magneto-mechanical response they show when magnetic field and mechanical stress are simultaneously applied. In the present work we elaborated a series of laminated composites comprising a layered ensemble of single crystalline Ni-Mn-Ga microparticles built-in between Cu foils via small layers of silicone rubber. Such a simple and robust design enabled an in-depth study of the simultaneous influence of the magnetic field and compressive opposing stress on MFIS and the generated force of the particle layer driving out-of-plane magnetomechanical response of the laminate. Self-consistent parameters characterizing a magnetic field- and stress-induced martensitic variant reorientation in the particles were disclosed by the measurements and comprehensive analysis of both the magnetization curves under opposing constant stresses (complemented by tracking residual strains with X-ray µ-CT imaging) and compressive stress-strain dependences under transversal magnetic field. In particular, an accurate value of the magnetic-to-mechanical energy conversion coefficient, equal to Cme = (2.3 ± 0.13) MPa/T2, and the value of maximum magnetostress of about 2.3 MPa generated by microparticles were determined, in a good agreement with bulk Ni-Mn-Ga single crystals (SC). In contrast to bulk SC, particles are technologically and costly more efficient. They have much higher degree of freedom in terms of composites design allowing the development of advanced miniature actuators and sensors. [Display omitted]