A thermodynamically consistent lumped-element model for magnetic shape memory components

A novel lumped-element modeling approach for magnetic shape memory alloys is presented. Building on concepts borrowed from rate-independent plasticity, the model describes the magnetic and magneto-mechanical behavior of a magnetic shape memory component subjected to a particular load case in a thermodynamically consistent way. The approach remedies the common issues of existing models regarding the representation of inner hysteresis loops and small-signal behavior. The model is parametrized in terms of a small number of parameters, which can be determined from single variant magnetic curves and mechanical first order reversal curves at constant magnetic input. The results indicate that the model predicts the magnetic and magneto-mechanical behavior with sufficient accuracy, which makes it appropriate for system design.