Stress modulated martensitic transition and magnetocaloric effect in hexagonal Ni sub(2)In-type MnCoGe sub(1-x)In sub(x) alloys

Effects of residual strain on martensitic transition and magnetocaloric effect have been studied in hexagonal Ni sub(2)In-type MnCoGe sub(1-x)In sub(x) alloys, which were prepared by using conventional arc-melting technique. Our studies indicated that the introduction of residual strain in the thin slices prepared by cold pressing can stabilize the austenite phase, broaden the temperature range of martensitic transition, and decouple the magnetic and structural transition in some extent. As a result, the magnetic entropy change is reduced, but the refrigerating temperature window can be expanded to 54 K or 73 K and the refrigerating capacity is remarkably increased.