Stress-Induced Twin Boundary Motion in Particulate Ni-Mn-Ga /Polymer Composites

Composites of Ni–Mn–Ga particles in a polyurethane matrix can be made by mixing the particles with the polymer, and allowing them to cure under a magnetic field to texture the composites. These composites show large hysteresis and mechanical losses, when subjected to a cyclic stress, that were far larger than the matrix polymer ones. The additional losses are attributed to the motion of twin boundaries in the filler particles and provide a way for obtaining mechanical energy absorption in a wide frequency range. By means of X-ray and neutron diffraction we present evidence that confirms that twins are present in the particles and that they do move when mechanically loading the composite