Extreme anelastic responses in Zn80Al20 matrix composite materials containing BaTiO3 inclusion

Extreme anelastic responses (stiffness greater than diamond and large amplification of damping) due to the presence of a negative stiffness phase have been observed in Zn80Al20–BaTiO3 composites not only near the tetragonal–orthorhombic transformation temperatures of BaTiO3 anticipated by the classical Landau theory, but far below the Curie point of BaTiO3, which can be manipulated via specific aging processes that operate by an oxygen vacancy mechanism. The idea proposed herein can be utilized to fabricate novel composites for potential engineering applications.