Abstract Effects of residual strain on martensitic transition and magnetocaloric effect have been studied in hexagonal Ni2In-type MnCoGe1-xInx alloys;
which were prepared by using conventional arc-melting technique. Our studies indicated that the introduction of residual strain in the thin slices prepared by cold pressing can stabilize the austenite phase;
broaden the temperature range of martensitic transition;
and decouple the magnetic and structural transition in some extent. As a result;
the magnetic entropy change is reduced;
but the refrigerating temperature window can be expanded to 54 K or 73 K and the refrigerating capacity is remarkably increased. © 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V;