Sensing Characteristics of Magnetic Shape Memory Materials

Magnetic shape memory (MSM) material is a class of smart material that changes shape when it is exposed to a moderate magnetic field, which provides a new way to produce motion and force. The material has also another interesting property: the MSM material can change its magnetic property when it is subjected to external force, which is known as sensing characteristics of MSM material. In this paper, shape variation mechanism and performance of MSM material is introduced, a testing device which is used to measuring sensing characteristics of MSM material is presented. Experimental results show that the larger variation of magnetic flux density is caused when the MSM material is mechanically compressed in testing device. The variation of magnetic flux density depends on the geometrical and material parameters of the MSM element, as well as on its deformation rate. Potential application is proposed as a MSM force sensor.