Energy Absorption and Damping in Magnetostrictive Composites

Abstract

AbstractThe mechanical energy absorption characteristics of several polymer matrix Terfenol-D composites were evaluated experimentally. Magnetostrictive composites absorb energy through domain level processes that couple mechanical and magnetic energies. The testing consisted of mechanically cycling the materials at different stress amplitudes (combined compression and tension) at a single frequency. Results indicate that the magnetostrictive composites exhibit a unique combination of high damping properties in conjunction with a relatively high modulus. The measured tan delta values for the materials are functionally dependent upon the stress amplitude. In general, as the stress amplitude increased, the damping or energy absorbed during one cycle decreased. Results also indicate that damping is directionally dependent (i.e. anisotropic) and that bias magnetic fields decrease the energy absorption. The volume fraction of the composites did not play a significant role in the magnitude of damping. This effect may be related to the inherent pre-stress imparted on the particle by the resin during cure.