Composite magnetostrictive materials for advanced automotive magnetomechanical sensors

In this paper we present the development of a composite magnetostrictive ma terial for automotive applications. The material is based on cobalt ferrite , CoO . Fe2O3, and contains a small fraction of metallic matrix phase that serves both as a liquid-phase sintering aid during processing and enhances the mechanical properties over those of a simple sintered ferrite ceramic. In addition the metal matrix makes it possible to braze the material, makin g the assembly of a sensor relatively simple. The material exhibits good se nsitivity and should have high corrosion resistance, while at the same time it is low in cost. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.