Abstract
One important parameter that quantifies the performance of ferromagnetic shape memory alloys is the blocking stress. To date, the low blocking levels (<5 MPa) impede the utilization of these alloys in applications where high work output is required. In this paper, we demonstrate an increase in the blocking stress by more than 100% by reducing the actuator size. A new theoretical model shows that smaller specimens have increased values of the blocking stress due to an enhancement in the energy barrier to magnetization rotation and indicates on a fundamental relationship among the specimen size, its microstructure, and its physical properties.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 122509 |
Journal | Applied Physics Letters |
Volume | 93 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2008 |