Magnetostrictive and mechanical properties of Terfenol-D composites based on polymer

Several composites, with outstanding magnetostrictive properties, have been synthesized combining a polyurethane base elastomer, with polycrystalline powders of Terfenol-D with a preferential orientation obtained by curing the material in a magnetic field. The morphology of the polymer matrix can be modified by changing the ratio of the hard/soft segment (F) of the polyurethane from 0.6 to 1.5. The influence of the morphology in the magnetostrictive response, for different composites, has been studied by following the storage modulus, E', in DMTA analysis. The magnetostrictive response has been studied as a function of Terfenol-D particle size and distribution (0-300, 212-300, 106-212, 0-38 pm), as well as a function of the content of the magnetostrictive particles in the composite. The highest response (about 1390 ppm) was obtained for a F=1.5 polyurethane and 50% wt of Terfenol-D of 212-300 pm particle size, oriented with a magnetic field of 0.5 T.