COMPOSITE MATERIALS FILLED WITH FERROMAGNETIC MICROWIRE INCLUSIONS DEMONSTRATING MICROWAVE RESPONSE TO TEMPERATURE AND TENSILE STRESS

Abstract

Amorphous and polycrystalline microwires cast from ferromagnetic Fe-based or Co-based alloys in glass envelope demonstrate unique magneto-anisotropic and high frequency impedance properties that make them very attractive for sensor applications. Magnetic anisotropies of different types result from the inverse magnetostriction effect (positive or negative) at the interface between the glass shell and the metal core, in the presence of the residual stresses induced during the Taylor-Ulitovski casting method. Therefore, the glass shell is not just isolation, but also is one of most important factors that defines the physical properties of microwires. In particular, magnetic anisotropy allows high frequency impedance to be tuned by external stimuli such as magnetic field, tensile stress, or temperature. In the project, these effects are explored for the creation of low density microwire inclusions that might introduce tuneable microwave properties to polymer composite materials.

The project aims to study high frequency impedance effects in ferromagnetic wires in the presence of tensile stress, temperature, and magnetic field. The integration of microwave equipment with mechanical and thermal measurement facilities is a very challenging task. In the project, we develop new experimental techniques allowing comprehensive study of composite materials with electromagnetic functionalities. The wire surface impedance recovered from such measurements can then be used to model the microwave response from wire-filled composites in free space. The obtained results significantly expand the horizon of potential applications of ferromagnetic wires for structural health monitoring