| (Tb,Dy)Fe{dollar}sb2{dollar} intermetallic alloys exhibit very large magnetostrictive strains. Alloys with composition near Tb{dollar}rmsb{lcub}0.3{rcub}Dysb{lcub}0.7{rcub}Fesb2,{dollar} known as Terfenol-D, are of particular interest because this is the composition where room temperature anisotropy compensation occurs and the moment can be easily rotated. Terfenol-D has a cubic Laves phase structure and exhibits maximum magnetostrictive strain along {dollar}{dollar} directions at room temperature. Bulk Terfenol-D tends to grow as twinned dendritic sheets with {dollar}{dollar} orientation. Recently, there has been increased interest in Terfenol-D thin film devices. Crystallographic texture can change the magnetostrictive properties of thin films. It is the purpose of this research to study the effect of postdeposition annealing and magnetic annealing treatments on the microstructure of Terfenol-D thin films. It is predicted that textured films can be obtained by exploiting increased magnetocrystalline anisotropy at elevated temperatures. This would improve the low field magnetostrictive strains attainable for device applications.; Also of recent interest is the fabrication of magnetostrictive composites. Increased toughness and durability are attainable at the cost of reduced magnetostrictive performance. Terfenol-D composites have been made with polymers. Composites with metals would be stronger and tougher but conventional high temperature processing routes cause unwanted reactions. Temperatures high enough to allow appreciable diffusion for sintering would also allow the metal binder phase to interdiffuse with Terfenol-D. This work also examines the feasibility of explosive compaction of Terfenol-D-metal composites. The short duration, on the order of microseconds, of the pressure and temperature pulse experienced by the powder leads to compaction at near room temperature. This is expected to prevent unwanted reactions between Terfenol-D and the metal binder. |
