Microstructural evolution and magnetocaloric properties of cold plastically deformed La0.6Pr0.4Fe10.7Co0.8Si1.5 alloy

Abstract

In order to improve the preparation process and practical process of magnetic refrigerant, a method of accelerating phase formation by cold compression plastic deformation at room temperature was proposed. The grain structure, phase composition and magneto-thermal effects of La0.6Pr0.4Fe10.7Co0.8Si1.5 alloy were systematically studied. The results show that with the increase of compression ratio, the number of grains per unit area increases and the grain size is uniform. Compared with the uncompressed sample, the proportion of magnetothermal phase increases after annealing under the same conditions. When the compression rate is 30%, the ratio of 1∶13 phase after 3 days annealing is 92.68%(volume fraction), and the pre deformed sample is obviously better than the undeformed sample.After annealing for 3 days, the Curie temperature (TC) of 30% pre-deformed La0.6Pr0.4Fe10.7Co0.8Si1.5 is 289 K, and the magnetic entropy change (ΔSmax) is -7.1 J/(kg·K) under 2 T magnetic fields.The suitable Curie temperature and value of ΔSmax make it an attractive potential candidate for the room temperature magnetic refrigeration application.

Keywords

• plastic deformation
• 1∶13 phase
• magnetocaloric effect
• la(fe, si)13 alloy