| NiMnGa is a relatively new metallic alloy that exhibits the shape memory effect in the presence of a magnetic field, hence its name of magnetic shape memory alloy (MSMA). MSMAs are considered to be smart materials that are characterized by magneto-mechanical coupling which can be used to induce and recover reorientation strain of up to 10%. The amount of recoverable strain varies depending on the training and chemical composition of the alloy [11].;Over the past decade, while material development was ongoing, MSMAs have been investigated extensively to determine their magneto-mechanical properties and response, primarily under constant compressive stress-variable magnetic field, and under constant magnetic field -- variable compressive stress (with the stress and field directions mutually perpendicular). These loading conditions may be exhibited by the material in practical applications such as actuation, sensing and or power harvesting. However, as other loading cases may be envisioned for practical applications, further magneto-mechanical characterization of the material was required, which motivated the work performed for this thesis. |
