Improved magnetostrictive properties of Co-Mn ferrites for automobile torque sensor applications

Strain derivative of local anisotropy, which depends on the magnetostriction, is the figure of merit for the magnetic materials used in automobile torque sensor applications. In order to improve the strain derivative, a series of samples with chemical formulae CoMnxFe2−xO4 (x=0.00-0.60) was prepared by a conventional ceramic technique. X-ray diffraction patterns of the samples confirm cubic spinel crystal structures. The magnetic properties, such as saturation magnetization and coercivity, were measured and the Curie temperature was estimated. Magnetostrictive properties were studied by the tensile strain gauge method. Manganese substituted cobalt ferrites have shown improved strain derivative values as compared to the pure cobalt ferrite. The strain derivative has been observed to increase for larger Mn substituent concentrations in CoMnxFe2−xO4. This behavior has been ascribed to the net decreased anisotropic contribution due to the increased presence of Mn3+ ions in B-sites and a corresponding migration of Co2+ ions to A-sites, and also to the microstructural grain size of the samples. The coercivity and magnetostriction measurements are in support of the strain derivative variations. The results are discussed on the basis of cationic site occupancies, variations in grain size and reduced anisotropy of the system.