Simulation of magnetostrictive properties of Galfenol under thermomechanical deformation

A recently discovered alloy, Galfenol, has been shown to exhibit magnetostrictive strains up to 400 micro-mm in single crystal form (more than 10 times that of Alpha Fe). However, it has proved difficult to retain the property in the polycrystalline form, for example, cold rolled specimens often lose their magnetostriction. We have developed a microstructure evolution model that is used to study the interplay of microstructure, crystallographic texture development and residual stresses in the evolution of magnetostrictive properties. Finite strain homogenization within a crystal plasticity model is used to investigate microstructural response of processed specimens under coupled magnetic and stress fields.