Magnetostriction

Magnetostriction is a property of <a href="/facts/Magnet/vvrg6VSk">magnetic materials</a> that causes them to change their shape or dimensions during the process of <a href="/facts/Magnetization/zxrtXzTN">magnetization</a>. The variation of materials' magnetization due to the applied <a href="/facts/Magnetic_field/Ta8Ev588">magnetic field</a> changes the magnetostrictive strain until reaching its saturation value, λ. The effect was first identified in 1842 by <a href="/facts/James_Joule/uzfj0eSG">James Joule</a> when observing a sample of <a href="/facts/Iron/QK1JYy8E">iron</a>.
Magnetostriction applies to magnetic fields, while <a href="/facts/Electrostriction/1fFVDqWl">electrostriction</a> applies to electric fields.
Magnetostriction causes energy loss due to frictional heating in susceptible ferromagnetic cores, and is also responsible for the low-pitched humming sound that can be heard coming from transformers, where alternating currents produce a changing magnetic field.

Magnetostriction open-in-new

Magnetostriction