DMA testing of Ni-Mn-Ga/polymer composites

Ni-Mn-Ga/polymer composites are an interesting group of materials with new potential for applications such as vibration damping. Polymer selection is critical for Ni-Mn-Ga/polymer composites. The transition temperatures of both components Should be selected carefully considering the future application the contact between Ni-Mn-Ga and polymer is important and stiffness of the polymer matrix is One of the influencing factors. The adhesion between Ni-Mn-Ga and the polymer matrix was studied in shear stress tests. Ni-Mn-Ga adhered strongly to the tested epoxies but considerably less so to silicones. The damping properties of Ni-Mn-Ga/polymer composites were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Compared to the pure polymer sample, DMA measurements confirmed extra damping in the martensite-austenite transition temperature region of the Ni-Mn-Ga after a soft epoxy matrix had been applied. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.