Martensitic phase transformation in rapidly solidified Mn50 Ni40 In10 alloy ribbons

Abstract

Heusler alloy Mn50 Ni40 In10 was produced as preferentially textured ribbon flakes by melt spinning, finding the existence of martensitic-austenic transformation with both phases exhibiting ferromagnetic ordering. A microcrystalline three-layered microstructure of ordered columnar grains grown perpendicularly to ribbon plane was formed between two thin layers of smaller grains. The characteristic temperatures of the martensitic transformation were MS =213 K, Mf =173 K, AS =222 K, and Af =243 K. Austenite phase shows a cubic L 21 structure (a=0.6013 (3) nm at 298 K and a Curie point of 311 K), transforming into a modulated fourteen-layer modulation monoclinic martensite. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.