Phase transition of Ni55-xCoxMn20Ga25 (8.5 ≤ x ≤ 11.0) alloys with different compositions and magnetic fields

Studies on Co-doped Ni-Mn-Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloys (FSMAs) have been quite active topics in recent years. Unlike previous reports where the amount of Co doping was generally less than 8 at%, in this work Ni55-xCoxMn20Ga25 (8.5 <= x <= 11.0) alloys were studied with high Co doping. Unusual effects of both composition and magnetic field on phase transitions were observed. With the increase in substitution of Co for Ni, the magnetic transition temperatures increase gradually but the martensitic transformation temperature decreases quite sharply. In particular, the average decrease in the martensitic transformation temperatures is up to 100 K which is nearly twice that in the case of Co content of less than 8 at%. Further, under an applied magnetic field ranging from 0.03 to 0.60 T, abnormal stabilization of a martensite phase with lower magnetization was monitored. Magnetic entropy change of 1.6 J center dot kg(-1)center dot K-1 was induced at the martensitic transformation of Ni46.5Co8.5Mn20Ga25 alloy by an applied field of 1 T. The magnetic contributions, including the magnetocrystalline anisotropy and the Zeeman energy, to the thermodynamics of the martensitic transformation are considered to understand the observed unusual phenomena. This work results in new insights into the understanding of Co-doped Ni-Mn-based ferromagnetic shape memory alloys.