Relating field-induced shift in transition temperature to the kinetics of coexisting phases in magnetic shape memory alloys

• Published in: Solid state communications Vol. 151; no. 14; pp. 971 - 975
• Main Authors: Banerjee, A., Dash, S., Lakhani, Archana, Chaddah, P., Chen, X., Ramanujan, R.V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-07-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Magnetically ordered materials; A. Metals; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; D. Phase transitions; D. Thermodynamic properties; Domain effects, magnetization curves, and hysteresis; Exact sciences and technology; Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetization curves, magnetization reversal, hysteresis, barkhausen and related effects; Martensitic transformations; Materials science; Phase diagrams and microstructures developed by solidification and solid-solid phase transformations; Physics; D. Phase transitions; A. Magnetically ordered materials; A. Metals; D. Thermodynamic properties; Quaternary alloys; Nickel alloys; Magnetization; Martensitic transformations; Magnetic field effects; Magnetic hysteresis; Coexistence; Magnetic alloy; Tin alloys; Shape memory alloy; Thermal hysteresis; Manganese alloys; Kinetics; Thermodynamic properties; Cobalt alloys; Transition element alloys
• ISSN: 0038-1098; 1879-2766
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssc.2011.05.009

In a magnetic shape memory alloy system, we vary composition following phenomenological arguments to tune macroscopic properties. We achieve significantly higher shift in austenite to martensitic phase transition temperature with magnetic field. This enhancement is accompanied by significant broadening of the transition and by field-induced arrest of kinetics, both of which are related to the dynamics of the coexisting phases. This reveals hitherto unknown interrelationship between different length scales. This may serve as an effective route for comprehensive understanding of similar multicomponent systems which show considerable variation in physical properties by minor change in microscopic parameters.
► Tuning of macroscopic properties by composition in magnetic shape memory alloy. ► Large field-induced shift in austenite to martensite transition temperature. ► Broadening of transition accompanied by field-induced arrest of kinetics. ► Dynamics of coexisting phases interrelating properties at different length scales.