Alexei Sozinov

Bio: Alexei Sozinov is an academic researcher from Helsinki University of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Magnetic shape-memory alloy & Crystal twinning. The author has an hindex of 30, co-authored 58 publications receiving 4500 citations.

Giant magnetic-field-induced strain in NiMnGa seven-layered martensitic phase

Abstract: Giant magnetic-field-induced strain of about 9.5% was observed at ambient temperature in a magnetic field of less than 1 T in NiMnGa orthorhombic seven-layered martensitic phase. The strain proved to be caused by magnetic-field-controlled twin boundary motion. According to an analysis of x-ray diffraction data, the crystal structure of this phase is nearly orthorhombic, having lattice parameters a=0.619 nm, b=0.580 nm, and c=0.553 nm (in cubic parent phase coordinates) at ambient temperature. Seven-layer shuffling-type modulation along the (110)[110]p system was recorded. The results of mechanical tests and magnetic anisotropy property measurements are also reported.

Giant field-induced reversible strain in magnetic shape memory NiMnGa alloy

Abstract: A room temperature extensional strain of 5.1% was observed in martensitic Ni/sub 48/Mn/sub 31/Ga/sub 21/ alloy in the magnetic field of 480 kA/m. The magnitude of field-induced strain decreases with increasing external compressive stress applied in the direction of expansion. The compressive stress of about 3 MPa prevents the development of the substantial field-induced strain. Magnetization curves obtained by VSM exhibit an abrupt magnetization change and a transient hysteresis in the first quadrant. Large reversible field-induced strain and the abrupt magnetization change are due to the rearrangement or redistribution of martensitic twin variants by the applied magnetic field. It was confirmed by optical observation of movement and nucleation of martensitic twin boundaries.

12% magnetic field-induced strain in Ni-Mn-Ga-based non-modulated martensite

Abstract: Magnetic field-induced strain (MFIS) of 12% is reported in ferromagnetic Ni 46Mn24Ga22Co4 Cu 4 martensite exhibiting non-modulated (NM) tetragonal crystal structure with lattice parameter ratio c / a > 1 . The strain was measured at ambient temperature in a magnetic field of the order of 1 T. The twinning stress σ T W and the magnetic stress σ M A G were also measured and the condition for a giant MFIS observation σ T W < σ M A G was confirmed. The MFIS was achieved in NM Ni 46Mn24Ga22Co4 Cu 4 martensite by considerable lowering of the σ T W value as compared to the values for NM martensites in ternary Ni-Mn-Ga system.

Composition and temperature dependence of the crystal structure of Ni–Mn–Ga alloys

Abstract: The crystal structure of ferromagnetic near-stoichiometric Ni2MnGa alloys with different compositions has been studied at ambient temperature. The studied alloys, with five-layered (5M) and seven-layered (7M) martensitic phases, exhibit the martensitic transformation temperature (TM) up to 353 K. Alloys with these crystal structures are the best candidates for magnetic-field-induced strain applications. The range of the average number of valence electrons per atom (e/a) was determined for phases 5M, 7M, and nonmodulated martensite. Furthermore, a correlation between the martensitic crystal structure, TM and e/a has been established. The lattice parameters ratio (c/a) as a function of e/a or TM has been obtained at ambient temperature for all martensitic phases. That the paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transition influences the structural phase transformation in the Ni–Mn–Ga system has been confirmed.

Crystal structures and magnetic anisotropy properties of Ni-Mn-Ga martensitic phases with giant magnetic-field-induced strain

Abstract: Summary form only given. Magnetic shape memory materials are expected to have potential for a variety of actuating devices and sensors. Magnetic-field-induced rearrangement of the crystallographic domains (twin variants) can produce a large strain similar to a stress-induced one. We have found a giant magnetic field-induced strain approximately 10% at ambient temperature in a magnetic field less then 1 T in NiMnGa seven-layered martensitic phase. The strain is contributed by twin boundary motion which was confirmed by different experimental methods. From the analysis of X-ray diffraction data it was found that crystal structure of this phase is nearly orthorhombic having lattice parameters at ambient temperature a=0.619 nm, b=0.580 nm and c=0.553 nm (in cubic parent phase coordinates). The magnetic anisotropy properties of this phase were determined on the single-variant constrained samples using the magnetization curves M(H) recorded along [100], [010] and [001] directions. We demonstrate that low twinning stresses and a high level of magnetic anisotropy energy are the critical factors for the observation of a giant magnetic field induced strain.

Recent developments in stainless steels

Abstract: This article presents an overview of the developments in stainless steels made since the 1990s. Some of the new applications that involve the use of stainless steel are also introduced. A brief introduction to the various classes of stainless steels, their precipitate phases and the status quo of their production around the globe is given first. The advances in a variety of subject areas that have been made recently will then be presented. These recent advances include (1) new findings on the various precipitate phases (the new J phase, new orientation relationships, new phase diagram for the Fe–Cr system, etc.); (2) new suggestions for the prevention/mitigation of the different problems and new methods for their detection/measurement and (3) new techniques for surface/bulk property enhancement (such as laser shot peening, grain boundary engineering and grain refinement). Recent developments in topics like phase prediction, stacking fault energy, superplasticity, metadynamic recrystallisation and the calculation of mechanical properties are introduced, too. In the end of this article, several new applications that involve the use of stainless steels are presented. Some of these are the use of austenitic stainless steels for signature authentication (magnetic recording), the utilisation of the cryogenic magnetic transition of the sigma phase for hot spot detection (the Sigmaplugs), the new Pt-enhanced radiopaque stainless steel (PERSS) coronary stents and stainless steel stents that may be used for magnetic drug targeting. Besides recent developments in conventional stainless steels, those in the high-nitrogen, low-Ni (or Ni-free) varieties are also introduced. These recent developments include new methods for attaining very high nitrogen contents, new guidelines for alloy design, the merits/demerits associated with high nitrogen contents, etc.

Magnetic-field-induced shape recovery by reverse phase transformation.

Abstract: Large magnetic-field-induced strains1 have been observed in Heusler alloys with a body-centred cubic ordered structure and have been explained by the rearrangement of martensite structural variants due to an external magnetic field1,2,3. These materials have attracted considerable attention as potential magnetic actuator materials. Here we report the magnetic-field-induced shape recovery of a compressively deformed NiCoMnIn alloy. Stresses of over 100 MPa are generated in the material on the application of a magnetic field of 70 kOe; such stress levels are approximately 50 times larger than that generated in a previous ferromagnetic shape-memory alloy4. We observed 3 per cent deformation and almost full recovery of the original shape of the alloy. We attribute this deformation behaviour to a reverse transformation from the antiferromagnetic (or paramagnetic) martensitic to the ferromagnetic parent phase at 298 K in the Ni45Co5Mn36.7In13.3 single crystal.

Giant magnetic-field-induced strain in NiMnGa seven-layered martensitic phase

Abstract: Giant magnetic-field-induced strain of about 9.5% was observed at ambient temperature in a magnetic field of less than 1 T in NiMnGa orthorhombic seven-layered martensitic phase. The strain proved to be caused by magnetic-field-controlled twin boundary motion. According to an analysis of x-ray diffraction data, the crystal structure of this phase is nearly orthorhombic, having lattice parameters a=0.619 nm, b=0.580 nm, and c=0.553 nm (in cubic parent phase coordinates) at ambient temperature. Seven-layer shuffling-type modulation along the (110)[110]p system was recorded. The results of mechanical tests and magnetic anisotropy property measurements are also reported.

Artificial muscle technology: physical principles and naval prospects

Abstract: The increasing understanding of the advantages offered by fish and insect-like locomotion is creating a demand for muscle-like materials capable of mimicking nature's mechanisms. Actuator materials that employ voltage, field, light, or temperature driven dimensional changes to produce forces and displacements are suggesting new approaches to propulsion and maneuverability. Fundamental properties of these new materials are presented, and examples of potential undersea applications are examined in order to assist those involved in device design and in actuator research to evaluate the current status and the developing potential of these artificial muscle technologies. Technologies described are based on newly explored materials developed over the past decade, and also on older materials whose properties are not widely known. The materials are dielectric elastomers, ferroelectric polymers, liquid crystal elastomers, thermal and ferroelectric shape memory alloys, ionic polymer/metal composites, conducting polymers, and carbon nanotubes. Relative merits and challenges associated with the artificial muscle technologies are elucidated in two case studies. A summary table provides a quick guide to all technologies that are discussed.