Processing and properties of magnetic shape memory (MSM) based hybrid materials

Ni-Mn-Ga magnetic shape memory alloys are potential candidates for multiple different applications ranging from active damping systems to micropumps for medical technology. However, this potential has not yet been fully realized since the best properties, such as large and recoverable magnetic-field-induced strains, are found only in single crystal structures that are industrially difficult to mass produce while polycrystalline structures that are easy to manufacture have minimal or no magnetic-field induced strains. Previously, researchers have tried to solve these problems by reducing the constraints for twin boundary movement in the polycrystalline structures and by creating Ni-Mn-Ga composites structures. The seminar presents doctoral thesis research regarding the manufacturing of magnetically active Ni-Mn-Ga hybrid composites structures and the development of a suitable industrially scalable process for producing magnetically active large grained Ni-Mn-Ga powder using gas-atomization.