DMA testing of Ni–Mn–Ga/polymer composites

Ni–Mn–Ga/polymer composites are an interesting group of materials with new potential for applications such as vibration damping. Polymer selection is critical for Ni–Mn–Ga/polymer composites. The transition temperatures of both components should be selected carefully considering the future application, the contact between Ni–Mn–Ga and polymer is important and stiffness of the polymer matrix is one of the influencing factors. The adhesion between Ni–Mn–Ga and the polymer matrix was studied in shear stress tests. Ni–Mn–Ga adhered strongly to the tested epoxies but considerably less so to silicones. The damping properties of Ni–Mn–Ga/polymer composites were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Compared to the pure polymer sample, DMA measurements confirmed extra damping in the martensite–austenite transition temperature region of the Ni–Mn–Ga after a soft epoxy matrix had been applied.