Structure and magnetic properties of Ni–Mn–Ga shape memory alloys

Abstract

In this paper, we present structure, structural phase transformation, magnetic phase transition, and magnetocaloric effect of Ni50Mn50-x Ga x (x = 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21) shape memory alloys. X-ray diffraction patterns display nano-crystalline phases in the alloys. The samples are soft magnetic material with very narrow magnetic hysteresis. The martensitic-austenite transformation temperature increases from 219 K (for x = 17) to 322 K (for x = 21) with increasing Ga-concentration. Ga also increases the Curie phase transition temperature and the saturation magnetisation of the alloy. The external magnetic field also clearly affects the structural phase transition of the alloy. The magnitude of the martensitic-austenitic phase transition decreases with the increase of the applied magnetic field. Both the normal and invert magnetocaloric effects coexist in the alloy. Under the magnetic field change of 10 kOe, the maximum magnetic entropy change, ∣ΔS m ∣max, for the Ni50Mn30Ga20 ribbon is 0.95 J.kg−1.K−1 for the normal magnetocaloric effect.