Sn-bonded LaFe^sub 11.6^Si^sub 1.4^H^sub y^ magnetocaloric composites with a 3-d Ni-coating steel substrate formed by hot-pressing

Novel LaFe11.6Si1.4Hymagnetocaloric composites were prepared with Sn powder and a 3-d Ni-coating steel substrate using a hot-pressing technique. By selecting low-melting-point pure Sn powder as an adhesive, and a 3-d Ni-coating steel substrate as the supporting skeleton, the LaFe11.6Si1.4Hymagnetocaloric composites exhibited good mechanical properties, a strong magnetocaloric effect (MCE), and a high thermal conductivity. The magnetic entropy change of the LaFe11.6Si1.4Hymagnetocaloric composites was optimised by adjusting the Sn concentration. By controlling the Sn concentration, the 0.7 mm-thickness LaFe11.6Si1.4Hymagnetocaloric composites with 10 wt.% Sn powder had a porosity of as low as 4.5 %, a thermal conductivity of 8 W m−1 K−1, and a magnetic entropy change of 7.9 J kg−1 K−1, a magnetic entropy change of 7.9 J kg−1 K−1, and adiabatic temperature change of 6.4 K.