Numerical simulation of nonlinear magnetic-mechanical-electric coupling effect in laminated magnetoelectric composites

Considering the significant nonlinear magnetoelectric (ME) characteristics in laminated ME composites, we build a numerical model of magnetic-mechanical-electric coupling effect based on the nonlinear magnetostrictive constitutive relation. The change of the ME field coefficients with bias magnetic field predicted by this model shows good agreement with the experimental result, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Furthermore, this paper considers and predicts the magnetoelectric conversion charateristics of laminated ME composites, calculates and analyzes the influence of the thickness ratio of magnetostrictive layer, the geometrical size of laminated composites, the saturation magnetization, and the types of piezoelectric materials on the ME conversion coefficient of ME laminated composites. We believe that this research provides a theoretical basis for the production of magnetoelectric devices with good magnetoelectric conversion characteristics. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.