A METHOD TO PRODUCE MAGNETIC SHAPE MEMORY MATERIAL, COMPOSITES AND THEIR USES

摘要

The invention is related to a method to produce magnetic shape memory (MSM) material. In the method MSM material is provided as atomized powder particles having essentially spherical form and the particles are heat treated at temperatures from 0.66 to 0.95 times the melting point of the particles to obtain substantial grain growth. The invention is related also to MSM composite structures and their use. MSM powder obtained by the method of the invention is embedded into a strip, rod or other shaped element of another material (e.g., a polymer or elastomer) to forma composite. The powder particles in the composite structures are oriented in a selected crystal or by externally applied magnetic field to a mutual orientation or to a certain plane