Training of the Ni-Mn-Fe-Ga ferromagnetic shape-memory alloys by cycling in a high magnetic field

The temperature and magnetic field dependencies of Ni-Mn-Ga polycrystals deformation are investigated. Ingots were prepared by arc-melting in argon atmosphere and further annealing. A training procedure (cycling across the martensitic transition point) for the two-way shape-memory effect was performed with Ni$_{2.16}$Fe$_{0.04}$Mn$_{0.80}$Ga samples. Changes in sample deformations were noticed with changing the magnetic field at a constant temperature. The first cycle deformation increment as compared with the initial value (in the austenitic state at zero field) in the course of the martensitic transition was 0.29%, and 0.41% and 0.48% for the second and third cycles, respectively.Comment: Presented at the Second Moscow International Symposium on Magnetism (Moscow-2002

An efficient control of Curie temperature TCT_C in Ni-Mn-Ga alloys

We have studied the influence of alloying with a fourth element on the temperature of ferromagnetic ordering $T_C$ in Ni-Mn-Ga Heusler alloys. It is found that $T_C$ increases or decreases, depending on the substitution. The increase of $T_C$ is observed when Ni is substituted by either Fe or Co. On the contrary, the substitution of Mn for V or Ga for In strongly reduces $T_C$.Comment: presented at ICM-200

The magnetic field influence on magnetostructural phase transition in Ni2.19Mn0.81Ga

Magnetic properties of a polycrystalline alloy Ni$_{2.19}$Mn$_{0.81}$Ga, which undergoes a first-order magnetostructural phase transition from cubic paramagnetic to tetragonal ferromagnetic phase, are studied. Hysteretic behavior of isothermal magnetization $M(H)$ has been observed in a temperature interval of the magnetostructural transition in magnetic fields from 20 to 100 kOe. Temperature dependencies of magnetization $M$, measured in magnetic fields $H = 400$ and 60 kOe, indicate that the temperature of the magnetostructural transition increases with increasing magnetic field.Comment: Presented at the Second Moscow International Symposium on Magnetism (Moscow-2002

Magnetic properties of Ni2.18Mn0.82Ga Heusler alloys with a coupled magnetostructural transition

Polycrystalline Ni2.18Mn0.82Ga Heusler alloys with a coupled magnetostructural transition are studied by differential scanning calorimetry, magnetic and resistivity measurements. Coupling of the magnetic and structural subsystems results in unusual magnetic features of the alloy. These uncommon magnetic properties of Ni2.18Mn0.82Ga are attributed to the first-order structural transition from a tetragonal ferromagnetic to a cubic paramagnetic phase.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, revtex