Rearrangement of twin variants in ferromagnetic shape memory alloy–polyurethane composites studied by stroboscopic neutron diffraction

The use of ferromagnetic shape memory alloy (FSMA) particles as fillers in polymeric matrix composites has been proposed for vibration damping. The large pseudo-plastic recoverable deformation of the FSMA particles due to the rearrangement of twin variants can dissipate a large amount of energy, both under compression and tension. The composites studied are made by mixing particles of NiMnGa with a polyurethane matrix. A magnetic field is applied to the composite while the matrix sets, to achieve a strong [112] texture in the field direction. In situ strobed neutron diffraction measurements were carried out while the composites were subjected to a cyclic deformation. They show that the intensity of certain peaks varies during the deformation cycle. All the peaks that show this behavior can be grouped into pairs that stem from a single austenitic peak. The (020) and (112) martensite peaks correspond to the splitting of the (220) austenite peak, and the intensity of one increases as that of the other decreases. The neutron measurements show directly that there is a change in the texture of the composite during the stress cycle applied to the composite and confirm that the large mechanical loss observed in the stress–strain cycles is in good part due to the rearrangement of twin variants in the FSMA filler used in the composites.