Magnetic field-induced strain and stress in a Ni-Mn-Ga alloy

In the present paper some magnetomechanical properties of a near-stoichiometric Ni-Mn-Ga magnetic shape memory alloy are discussed. Two series of measurements were performed to study the magnetic field-induced stress as a function of the deformation rate as well as the magnetic field-induced strain as a function of mechanical stress applied in the direction opposite to the strain. The results indicate that the present alloy can be used as an actuator material for its ability to work against an external stress and produce strain. The discussion is extended to comparison of the present results with some recently obtained model calculations that show good correlation