Sensing Behavior of Galfenol (FeGa) Alloys under Dynamic Conditions

Magnetostrictive materials are a class of smart materials that have the capability to convert mechanical energy to magnetic energy and vice versa. This material property makes these materials ideal for both sensing and actuation applications. Utilizing a customized part composed of only one material, rather than various components working together, would lessen the effect of wear and degradation in addition to allowing the customized part to be much smaller than current counterparts. These devices can be self contained, and in some cases can be used as self-sensing actuators. Galfenol, an alloy of iron and gallium, is a promising material for such application due to the moderate strain exhibited under a magnetic field combined with the material's mechanical robustness.This research looks to further the study of Galfenol by documenting the behavior of (Fe81.6Ga18.4) Galfenol in the dynamic (time-varying) regime in relation to sensing applications. The characterization of these alloys involves applying a dynamic stress to the sample and measuring the corresponding change in magnetization level. Using an array of different probes and sensors these results have been obtained for different frequencies of stress excitation. The relationship between the input stress and the output magnetization is non-linear and exhibits hysteresis. The characterization of these responses aids in the creation of guidelines for implementing Galfenol in a sensing or actuating system.No embarg