R. B. Schwarz
Ctr. for Mater. Sci., MS K 765, Los Alamos Natl. Lab., Los Alamos, NM 87545
V.-T. Kuokkala
Inst. of Mater. Sci., Tampere Univ. of Technol., Tampere 33101, Finland
A novel method and apparatus for measuring the elastic moduli and
ultrasonic attenuation of small samples (millimeter dimensions) over a wide
temperature range is described. In the most general case, a nonmagnetic sample
is coated with a thin film of a magnetostrictive material. The film performs
both as a driving transducer and as a receiving transducer. An alternating
magnetic field of variable frequency generates a periodic stress in the film
and drives the sample into mechanical resonances. The permeability of the film
changes when the sample is resonating and allows the detection of the
resonances. The operation of the system and the mathematical procedures to
deduce the elastic moduli and ultrasonic attenuation are exemplified with
measurements on amorphous and crystalline alloys. [Work supported by the U.S.
Department of Energy.]