Influence of Be and Al on the magnetostrictive behavior of FeGa alloys

The rare-earth-free body-centered-cubic FeGa-based alloys have an attractive combination of large low-field magnetostriction at room temperature, good mechanical properties, low hysteresis, and relatively low cost for use in sensor and actuator devices. This paper examines the influence of partially substituting Ga in FeGa alloys with Be and Al on their magnetostrictive behavior. Magnetic and magnetostrictive properties of the various ternary FeGaAl and FeGaBe alloys prepared by directional growth process are presented. It is shown that substitution of Ga with Al and Be can be made in FeGa alloys in certain composition ranges without a significant reduction in magnetostriction. Minimal reductions in magnetostriction when Ga is partially substituted by smaller Be or larger Al atoms in certain composition ranges indicate that local electronic environments are more important and that the effects of Ga and Be are additive.