The inductive (omegaL) and resistive (R) components of the impedance of an
amorphous wire (Fe77.5Si7.5B15) subjected to torsional stresses are measure
d. For a critical value of the AC driving current L abruptly increases due
to irreversible magnetization processes in the circumferential configuratio
n. Suitable combinations of the AC driving current amplitude and frequency
give rise to a peak in the resistive variations and a minimum in the induct
ance. The inductance shows a bistable asymmetric hysteresis loop (L vs. H).
The torsional stress increases the coercivity of the longitudinal hysteres
is loop of the wire but favors the reaching of the saturation magnetization
at lower fields. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.