Doped Cobalt Ferrites for Stress Sensor Applications

The development of new magnetoelastic materials, suitable for use in magnetic stress sensors, has a high scientific and technological interest due to growing number of possible applications in automotive industry. In this study, a series of silicon-doped cobalt ferrite samples with compositions of CoSi_xFe_2-xO₄ were prepared by substituting silicon for iron. The samples were made using standard powder ceramic technique. The spinel structure and the presence of residual phases were checked by XRD analysis. To determine the influence of the substitution on the strength of the magnetic exchange interactions, Curie temperature (Tc) measurements were made. A dramatic decrease of Tc with the substitution of Si for Fe was observed. By adjusting the silicon content and the sintering process the material properties could be optimized for industrial application.