A Performance Prediction for Fe–Ga Magnetostrictive Strain Sensor Using Simplified Model

This paper presents an engineering modeling methodology for magnetostrictive materials based on a simplified piezo-electric governing equation. For verifying the modeling performance, a proof-of-concept non-contact strain sensor utilizing a prototype magnetostrictive (Fe-Ga alloy, Galfenol) strip on a steel plate is used to evaluate sensor performance prediction. Typically, the performance of Galfenol is measured in a compressional load region because it has a higher response. However, in this paper, we are aiming to develop a sensor for tensile stress measurement. To achieve a compression effect from a tension load in the sensing element, a Galfenol strip is aligned perpendicular to a tension bar so that tension in the bar creates compression in the strip via the Poisson effect. The experimental setup in this paper consists of a polycrystalline Galfenol strip bonded in the horizontal direction of a steel dog-bone shaped tension specimen. Permanent magnets are attached at each end of the Galfenol strip to provide an even magnetic bias field through the strip. The magnetic flux through the Galfenol strip is measured with non-contact Hall sensors during the tensile load test. The simulation results agree well with the experiments for the value of H studied.