Structure And Martensitic Transformation in Ni44Mn43.5Sn12.5-xAlx Heusler Alloys

Abstract

Alloys with constant Ni/Mn ratio equal to 1.01 of nominal compositions Ni44Mn43.5Sn12.5-xAlx (x = 0, 1, 2 and 3) were induction cast, homogenized in vacuum for 6 hours at 1000ºC, annealed for 1 h at 900 and water quenched for solution treatment (ST). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies revealed that the quenched alloys undergo martensitic transformation with martensite start temperatures (Ms) ranging from - 140 up to - 80ºC. An increase of Ms temperature with increasing of the aluminum content as well as the linear relationship between Ms and the conductive electron concentration (e/a) was observed. DSC has been used also to estimate the associated entropy change from the transformation heat Q and peak position temperature Tp; corresponding to ΔS ≈ Q/Tp. X-Ray diffraction phase analyses performed at room temperature proved that in all ST alloys the L21 Heusler structure is present. However, a different degree of order of this phase was observed, what was manifested by a decrease of intensity of the 111 superlattice reflection of the L21 structure with an increase of Al content. The ordering behavior was also proven by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations, particularly electron diffraction patterns. The evolution of microstructure after different treatments was also illustrated by light microscopy observations.