An analysis is made of the system of stress and strain which occurs when a normal compressive stress is applied through an isotropic clamp plate to a silicon-iron crystal which is both magnetically and mechanically anisotropic. The effect of possible domain rotations between different

axes on the relationships between stress and strain is determined, and hence the magnetostrictive energy changes which rotation would cause. It is thus shown that the effect on domain structure, and hence on magnetostriction, of normal stresses applied through glass, mild steel, or soft rubber differs significantly from the effect of a uniaxial stress. Stresses less than 10
6N/m
2applied through thick glass or through steel tend to maintain the existing domain structure. The calculations also consider the effects of misoriented crystals, and some previously reported experimental results are discussed.