Fully coupled multiphysics simulation model of magnetic shape memory actuators

Abstract:
Within this paper, we present a simple approach to model and simulate switching domains in magnetic shape memory alloys (MSMA). Instead of developing specific averaged FE-models, we propose an approach to augment existing mechanical and electromagnetic FE-code. Therefore, the necessary domain variables and inequalities governing the switching behaviour are described and their smoothed implementation in COMSOL Multiphysics to improve convergence is shown. The simulation results are compared with experimental data and remaining deviations are discussed. The individual strengths and weaknesses of our approach compared to averaged models result in different use cases.