Direct measurement of shape memory effect for Ni54Mn21Ga25, Ni50Mn41.2In8.8 Heusler alloys in high magnetic field

Abstract

Abstract Recently the new scheme of layered composite with shape memory effect (SME) for thermal and magnetic actuation was suggested and proved to demonstrate the reversible actuation on micro- and nanoscale. The principles of magnetic field induced martensitic transition (MFIMT) and magnetic field controlled shape memory effect (MFCSME) have the advantages of magnetic-field-controlled actuation at constant temperature, extremely small size of an actuator and compatibility with modern nanotechnologies. The present paper is devoted to experimental study of MFCSME in two ferromagnetic Heusler alloys Ni54Mn21Ga25 and Ni50Mn41.2In8.8 with positive and negative shift of the martensitic transition temperature in a magnetic field. The three points bending device for dilatometric tests of plate-like samples of the alloys was designed and placed in the field of Bitter coil magnet. The bending deformations versus temperature were measured at various magnetic fields up to 10 T and at mechanical stresses up to 45 MPa. The temperature shifts of thermoelastic martensitic phase transition were found to be 0.55 K/T and −0.95 K/T for Ni54Mn21Ga25 and Ni50Mn41.2In8.8 respectively. For direct MFCSME study the dependences of the bending deformation on magnetic fields up to 14 T were also obtained at constant temperatures for these alloys. Practically complete recoverable deformation of 0.2% due to MFIMT was obtained at 14 T in Ni54Mn21Ga25 alloy in temperature range 316–318 K and stress 8.6 MPa. The new variant of the layered functional composite actuator scheme based on the alloys with MFCSME is suggested. The proposed functional composite combines the layers of the alloys with positive and negative temperature shifts of martensitic transition temperature in magnetic field. It is argued that this combination of the alloys can improve the performance of the composite actuators driven by MFCSME, particularly, it can provide higher generated force, actuation stroke, sensitivity to magnetic field and frequency of actuation.