Research In Mechanics of Materials

Magneto-Mechanical Testing Machine (MMTM)

May 2001.

Overview

The Magneto-Mechanical Testing Machine (MMTM) allows the traditional solids mechanics uniaxial (tension or compression) mechanical tests to be conducted in a magnetic field. This allows the new class of materials called Ferromagnetic-Shape-Memory (FSM) materials to be studied. These materials, such as NiMnGa and FePd, are ferromagnetic as well as undergoing a structural (martensitic) phase transformation which is the basis for the shape-memory effect. Thus these materials have shape-memory behavior that can be controlled via a magnetic field. This has great advantages over traditional shape-memory materials that require changes in temperature for actuation.

Results

The MMTM is still under construction, but an initial demonstration of the magnetic field control has been completed.

• Micro-compass Demonstration May 2001

Equipment

The equipment used on this project is listed here.

Many additional pictures of the faculity have been taken.

Support

Construction of this facility was sponsored by:

• Department of Defense, DURIP Program through the Office of Naval Research.
• The Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics at the U. of M.
• The Institute of Technology at the U. of. M.

Research using this facility is sponsored by:

• DOD Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI) Prof. M. Wuttig, U. of Maryland, lead PI.
• Office of Naval Research