Thermal Analysis of Terfenol-D Rods with Different Structures

Abstract

To reduce the heating of the Terfenol-D rod and evaluate its working efficiency, six kinds of Terfenol-D rods were designed, and the temperature field of the rods was simulated and calculated using the finite element method to obtain the temperature distribution. The results showed that the untreated rod had the highest temperature; the temperature was higher in the middle and lower at both ends; higher on the outer diameter surface; and lower on the inside. When compared to the untreated rod, the temperatures of sliced rods and slit rods decreased, and the temperature of sliced rods was lower than that of slit rods; the temperature of slit rods was higher in the middle and lower at both ends; the temperature distribution of sliced rods was more uniform relatively; the slice treatment rod had the lowest temperature and the best heat suppression effect. Three structural rods were chosen and manufactured from a total of six that were tested. It shows that the temperature of all rods was higher in the middle and lower at both ends after 30 min of operation. The actual temperature of untreated rod was 34 °C, the actual temperature of radially slit rod was 32 °C, and the actual temperature of sliced rod at both ends was 28 °C. The tested temperature distributions of three rods agreed with the calculated ones.