An alternating current potential drop technique is presented that exploits anisotropic magnetostriction to monitor changes in
applied stress in steel. The background to the technique is provided together with an ad hoc approximation that describes the
sensitivity of the sensor to the underlying properties. A uniaxial loading experiment has been conducted on duplex and mild
steel specimens showing that changes in stress are measureable. Saturation and hysteresis afflict the measurement, which, in
addition to sensitivity to temperature and magnetisation, may undermine inversion. With the capabilities and limitations of
the proposed technique introduced, guidance on possible suitable applications are given, concluding that use for monitoring
the number and relative size of fatigue stress cycles may be a suitable and attractive opportunity.