Martensitic Transformation and Crystalline Structure of Ni₅₀Mn_50−xSn_x Melt-Spun Heusler Alloys

Abstract

The structure and thermal behavior are key factors that influence the functional response of Ni–Mn–Sn alloys. The present study reports the production as well as the structure and thermal analysis of melt-spun (solidification rate: 40 ms−1) Ni50 Mn50−xSnx (x = 10, 11, 12 and 13 at.%) alloys. X-ray diffraction measurements were performed at room temperature. The austenite state has an L21 structure, whereas the structure of the martensite is 7M or 10M (depending on the Sn/Mn percentage). Furthermore, the structural martensitic transformation was detected by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). As expected, upon increasing the Sn content, the characteristic temperatures also increase. The same tendency is detected in the thermodynamic parameters (entropy and enthalpy). The e/a control allows the development production of alloys with a transformation close to room temperature.

Keywords

• Heusler alloys
• martensitic transformation
• DSC
• XRD
• rapid solidification