the application specific requirement typically the width of the ring 44 will correspond with a pick up device utilized to sense changes in the magnetic field within the magnetoelastic material of the ring 44 it is understood in the field of electroplating that the electrolytic process of plating material to a substrate results in a natural state where the plated material produces a significant stress in itself this significant stress is in many instances overcome by specific application and process parameters that are tailored to reduce this induced stress however an example method and application of plating for a magnetoelastic torque element such tensile stress is favorable as a component of the desired stress anisotropy accordingly it is possible with the proper selection of substrate and magnetoelastic material to instill the required tensile hoop stresses in the ring material 44 simply through the plating processes preferably in the processes illustrated in fig4 the underlying shaft 42 is magnetically inert stainless steel material such as the stainless steel alloy 316 the magnetoelastic material plated on this material is a nickel iron alloy that instills the desired tensile stresses by the controlled conditions of the plating process in some instances the induced tensile stress can be significant up to 100 000 psi accordingly the process illustrated in fig4 comprises the steps of selecting a substrate material compatible with a ring plating material the ring plating material comprises a nickel iron mix the nickel iron mix is formulated in such a combination that the plating process itself will create a desired level of tensile stress in the ring 44.