Martensitic transformation and magnetic properties in Mn49−xCuxNi41Sn10(x = 0–2)

The crystal structure, phase transition, metamagnetic behavior and magnetic entropy change (Δ S M ) of the Mn 49− x Cu x Ni 41 Sn 10 ( x = 0–2) alloys were systematically studied. The results of experiment about crystal structure confirm that Mn 49− x Cu x Ni 41 Sn 10 alloys have a highly ordered cubic L2 1 Heusler structure. With Cu element improving, all samples have a martensitic transformation and inverse martensitic transformation by analyzing the result of magnetic measurement. The saturation magnetization of samples decreases gradually, the martensitic transformation temperature ( T M ) of as-annealed samples increases to a high-temperature area, and the Curie temperature ( T C ) of samples moves to a low-temperature area with the content of Cu element increasing from x = 0 to x = 2. The positive values of magnetic entropy change (Δ S M ) of all alloys were investigated near the martensitic transformation. When the applied magnetic field is 3 T, a worthwhile value of Δ S M can reach up to 32.0 J·kg −1 ·K −1 in Mn 47 Cu 2 Ni 41 Sn 10 alloy.