Papers by Keyword: Ni₂MnGa

Abstract: Microstructure of rapidly solidified Ni2MnGa ferromagnetic shape memory alloy has been investigated experimentally by melt-spinning technique. At a constant ribbon width of 3 mm, two speeds of melt spinning 17m/sec and 30m/sec at the extrema of conditions for a good quality of ribbon resulted in two thicknesses of the ribbon, viz., 62 μm and 44 μm, respectively. TEM and AFM analysis reveals the formation of very fine clusters of Ni2MnGa at lower wheel speeds. However at higher wheel speeds nanocrystalline Ni2MnGa particles of size about 10-20 nm and martensitic phases were confirmed.

Abstract: We report on the preparation and investigation of epitaxial thin films of the magnetic shape memory alloy Ni2MnGa. For samples close to the stoichiometric composition we find that the phase transformation temperature is affected by the crystallographic orientation. Changes in the crystal structure due to the transformation are observed using temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction. Films with higher manganese content are in the martensitic state at room temperature. Those samples on Al2O3(11-20) reveal the 7-layered orthorhombic structure that allows strains up to 10 %. To avoid blocking of magnetostrictive effects by the substrate, free-standing films are prepared using water-soluble NaCl(100) single crystals as substrate.

Abstract: Evolution of domain structures across the martensitic transition (Tm) in the ferromagnetic shape memory alloy system Ni-Mn-Ga is studied using an optical microscope with a temperature variation. Compositions chosen have Tm < Tc, Tm = Tc and Tm > Tc, (Tc=Curie temperature) so that one can compare the nature of martensitic domains. There are no appreciable domain structures when Tm < Tc as compared to the one with Tm > Tc. However, giant morphological changes in the form of appearance of well-developed domains that are propagating with different directions are seen for the composition in which Tm=Tc. The results are discussed in the light of Magnetic Force Microscopy observations as well as giant entropy changes known to occur on samples with co-occurrence of Tm and Tc.

Abstract: Martensitic and magnetic properties of ferromagnetic shape memory alloys are known to depend up on structural modulations and associated changes in the Fermi surface. These modulations although periodic and spanning over multiple unit cells, involve movement of atoms typically of the order of 0.01Å. Therefore X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS) is an ideal tool to map both, local atomic movements and changes in density of states (DOS) due to changing hybridization as the system transforms from austenitic to martensitic phase. This paper presents a compilation of our XAFS studies on the Ni-Mn based shape memory alloys. A complete description of the changes in local structure around the constituent metal ions in the following alloy compositions: Ni2+xMn1-xGa, Ni2Mn1.4Sn0.6 and Ni2Mn1.4In0.6 in the austenitic and martensitic phases have been obtained. The results give the new experimental evidence for the crucial hybridization component that influences and leads to structural transition in these Ni-Mn based Heusler alloys.

Abstract: Influence of structural transition in the evolution of the magnetic domains in the ferromagnetic shape memory alloy system Ni2+xMn1-xGa is reported here using Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) studies. Studies reported are with two samples with their martensite transition temperature TM less than and greater than the Curie temperature Tc. Present results show an evolution of MFM across the Tc with a clear twin domains and sub domain structures inside the twins. The higher spatial resolution of MFM (~50nm) as compared to optical microscope (400nm) is useful in probing the domain walls. Force derivative of the MFM signal that may be used as an order parameter seems to scale the onset of magnetic order in the system. One can clearly see the vanishing of the MFM patterns for T>Tc. Results are discussed in the light of models available for tip-sample interactions that track the local magnetization.

Abstract: In this paper the perfect Ni2MnGa cluster model is studied by use of the first principles discrete variational method (DVM), which is based on the framework of density- function theory. To study the characteristic properties of the alloy and the influence of the impurities which substitute for Mn at the central, the electronic structure、the binding energy and site energy are calculated. The result illuminates that Ni2MnGa complex obviously has metallic property. Ga plays to transmit electron for the exchange actions between Mn and Mn. And the periodic influence of 11 impurity elements on the binding energy and the site energy is gived. From the microcosmic the reason of the martensitic temperature changed with the concentration of element is analyzed.

Abstract: The phase constitution, lattice parameter, martensitic and magnetic transformation behavior and hardness of the Ni2MnGa-Cu2MnAl pseudobinary alloys designed as (Ni2MnGa)x(Cu2MnAl)1-x were investigated in order to improve magnetic properties of Ni2MnGa. It was revealed that L21 Ni2MnGa and Cu2MnAl make a continuous solid solution of (Ni,Cu)2Mn(Ga,Al) when heat treated at 1073K, and that the lattice parameter of the L21 phase increases monotonously with increasing the compositional ratio x, that is, the amount of Cu2MnAl. Curie temperature TC also increases with increasing x. On the other hand, the martensitic transformation temperature of Ni2MnGa seems to decrease rapidly by adding Cu2MnAl. Hardness of the alloys heat-treated at 1073K ranges from HV200 to HV370, and solution hardening was recognized by mixing. When heat treated at 773K, a phase decomposition from L21 phase to Cu9Al4 and b-Mn was confirmed in the Cu2MnAl-rich alloys. The phase decomposition causes a decrease in the lattice parameter of L21 phase and TC and a significant increase in hardness.