Crystal structure and physical properties of magnetic shape memory alloys Ni50 − x Cu x Mn29Ga21

The phase composition, crystal structure, and physical properties (magnetization, electrical resistivity, thermoelectric power, relative elongation, and thermal expansion coefficient) of the stoichiometric alloy Ni₅₀Mn₂₅Ga₂₅ and nonstoichiometric alloys Ni_{50 ? x} Cu _x Mn₂₉Ga₂₁ (x = 0, 1, 2) with the thermoelastic martensitic transformation have been investigated. The influence of the chemical composition on the transformations and physical properties of the alloys has been determined.     

Effect of cobalt doping on thermoelastic martensitic transformations and physical properties of magnetic shape memory alloys Ni50 − x Co x Mn29Ga21

The magnetic and thermoelastic martensitic transformations and physical properties (magnetization, electrical resistivity, thermoelectric power, relative elongation, and thermal expansion coefficient) of multicomponent magnetic shape memory alloys Ni_{50 ? x} Co _x Mn₂₉Ga₂₁ (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 10 at %) have been investigated. The critical temperatures of thermoelastic martensitic transformation and magnetic transitions have been determined. It has been found that the alloy with 10 at % Co undergoes a martensitic transformation in the temperature range of 6–10 K.     

Martensitic transformations and magnetic properties of nonstoichiometric alloys of the Ni-Mn-In system

Martensitic transformations and magnetic properties of Ni_89-x Mn _x In₁₁ (42 ≤ x ≤ 44) alloys have been investigated. Critical temperatures of magnetic and structural phase transitions in the studied alloy system have been determined. It has been shown that the martensitic transformation induced by the magnetic field is observed in all alloys. Temperature dependences of the spontaneous magnetization of austenite and martensite as well as the magnitude of the critical field, in which martensitic transformation occurs, have been determined.     

Exchange-induced phase separation in Ni–Cu films

Magneto-structural properties of films of diluted ferromagnetic alloys Ni_xCu_1−x in the concentration range 0.7<x<1.0$0.7<x<1.0$ are studied experimentally. Films deposited by magnetron sputtering show partial phase separation, as evidenced by structural analysis and ferromagnetic resonance measurements. The phase diagram of the Ni_xCu_1−x bulk system is obtained using numerical theoretical analysis of the electronic structure, taking into account the interatomic exchange interactions. The results confirm the experimentally found partial phase separation, explain it as magnetic in origin, and indicate an additional metastable region connected with the ferromagnetic transition in the system.     

Effect of Mn incorporation for Ni on the properties of melt spun off-stoichiometric compositions of NiMnGa alloys

The investigation addresses the effect of Mn incorporation for Ni on the properties of a series of Ni_77−xMn_xGa₂₃ (x=22-29; at%) ferromagnetic shape memory alloys prepared in the form of ribbons by a melt spinning technique. Phase transformation studies in these ribbons by differential scanning calorimetry revealed that austenitic start and martensitic start temperatures decreased with the increase in Mn content. The Curie temperature (T_C) of these alloys determined from thermal variation of magnetisations was found to rise with increasing Mn content. The martensitic transformation temperatures were above T_C in low Mn containing (x=22 and 23) alloys. Morphology observed through transmission electron microscopy manifested complex martensitic features in the alloy with x=22 while x=29 had an austenitic phase. The alloys with intermediate Mn content (x=24, 25) had overlapping magnetic and martensitic transformations close to room temperature. The thermal lag between austenitic and martensitic characteristic temperatures in these alloys has been corroborated to their structural state. X-ray diffraction indicated a predominant martensite phase and austenite phase in low and high Mn containing alloys respectively. In-situ diffraction studies during thermal cycle indicate martensite-austenite transformations.     

Effect of alloying on the structure and phase transformations in Ni-Mn alloys alloyed by titanium

The crystal structure of NiMn alloy alloyed by titanium in a wide range of temperatures and compositions has been investigated using resistivity measurements, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and X ray diffraction. It is found that alloying by titanium not only decreases the martensitic transformation temperature but also changes the martensite crystal structure. The martensitic transformation temperatures are determined and the diagram of martensitic transformations for Ni₅₀Mn_{50 ? x} Ti _x alloys is constructed.     

Structural and elastic properties of Ni2+xMn1−xGa alloys

The structural parameters and the energetics of the Ni_2+xMn_1−xGa alloys have been investigated by the first-principles Exact Muffin Tin Orbital-Coherent Potential Approximation (EMTO-CPA) for 0.10<x<0.30. The difference in total energies (δE) between the low-temperature tetragonal phase and the high-temperature cubic phase has been considered as a qualitative indicator of the martensitic transformation temperature T_m. The qualitative behavior of δE with variation of x has been found to be in agreement with the experimentally observed variation of T_m with x. The elastic constants for the entire range of x have also been calculated and the determination of a relationship between δE and the elastic shear modulus has been attempted. It is seen that δE varies linearly with elastic shear modulus C′, qualitatively similar to the relation between T_m and C′. The energetics calculated with the EMTO method agrees quite well with the all-electron full-potential results ensuring the accuracy of the method. These results show that the EMTO-CPA method is one of the most reliable and accurate first-principles methods, in the context of off-stoichiometric alloys which undergo martensitic phase transformations.     

Effect of quenching wheel speed on the structure, magnetic properties and magnetoimpedance effect in Co64Fe4Ni2B19−xSi8Cr3Alx (x=0, 1 and 2) melt-spun ribbons

Melt-spun ribbons of Co₆₄Fe₄Ni₂B_19−xSi₈Cr₃Al_x (x=0, 1 and 2) alloy at wheel speed of 25 m/s and Co₆₄Fe₄Ni₂B_19−xSi₈Cr₃Al₁ alloy at different wheel speeds (25, 30, 35 and 40 m/s) have been prepared and investigated for structural and magnetic properties and magnetoimpedance effect. Based on the results obtained, it was shown that replacement of B by Al can improve the magnetoimpedance ratio (MIR) and the highest value of MIR (191%) was observed for the sample with X_Al=1 at wheel speed of 25 m/s. Further, it was seen that the higher quenching wheel speed gives rise to a higher coercivity and lower magnetic permeability/MIR value.     

Formation of nanostructured states in ternary TiNiFe-based shape memory alloys during megaplastic deformation and subsequent heat treatment

The ternary metastable TiNiFe alloys that exhibit a low-temperature shape memory effect and are subjected to plastic deformation by rolling or high-pressure torsion followed by heat treatment are studied by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electrical resistivity measurements. It is found that moderate plastic deformation of a Ti₅₀Ni₄₉Fe₁ alloy at room temperature initiates the thermoelastic B2 ? B19’ martensitic transformation and the formation of a developed banded dislocation and twin substructure in the B19’ martensite. This deformation of a Ti₅₀Ni₄₇Fe₃ alloy forms a similar dislocation substructure but in B2 austenite. Megaplastic deformation by high-pressure torsion causes amorphization in the Ti₅₀Ni₄₉Fe₁ alloy and nanofragmentation in the Ti₅₀Ni₄₇Fe₃ alloy. The evolution of the nanostructure and the martensitic transformations in TiNiFe-based ternary alloys is studied during plastic deformation and subsequent annealing at various temperatures.     

Martensitic transformation and electrical properties of a Ni<Subscript>2.14</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.81</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>0.05</Subscript>Ga alloy in its different structural states

Phase transformations in a Ni_2.14Mn_0.81Fe_0.05Ga alloy in different structural states are studied from the temperature dependences of its electrical resistivity. The dependences obtained indicate that, in the coarse-grained state, this alloy undergoes two structural phase transformations: intermartensitic modulation transformation and martensite-austenite transformation. In the nanocrystalline state, these transformations are absent. The recrystallization of a nanocrystalline sample at 773 K for 30 min results in the martensite-austenite transformation; however, the phase transformation related to a change in the martensite modulation period does not occur in this state. The resistivity is shown to depend on the structural state of the alloy.     

Phase transformation behaviour in continuously cooled Zr65Al7.5Ni10Cu17.5− x Pd x (x = 0 − 17.5) glass-forming alloys and consequences for structure and property control

Continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagrams were successfully constructed for Zr₆₅Al_7.5Ni₁₀Cu_{17.5? x} Pd _x (x?=?0???17.5) glass-forming alloys, comparing phase-transformation features in the alloy system to composition. While a low-Pd alloy (x?=?5) showed a single transformation curve, corresponding to the formation of a crystalline phase on the high-temperature side of the undercooled-liquid region, for a given time-scale, a high-Pd alloy (x?=?17.5) revealed an additional curve, corresponding to quasicrystalline phase formation on the lower temperature side. The result provides a clue to the structural and property control on the alloy system. Glassy specimens of the same size but with different intrinsic structure, evaluated by structural relaxation during continuous heating, could be fabricated for the low-Pd alloy (x?=?5). Plasticity was found to increase proportionally with the relaxation enthalpy. On the other hand, the critical size for glass formation could be improved considerably from 5 to 7 mm in diameter for the high-Pd alloy (x?=?17.5).     

Mesoscopic structure of Ni<Subscript>2 + <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ga alloys in the concentration range corresponding to a coupled magnetic-structural phase stransition

The Ni_{2 + x} Mn_{1 − x} Ga magnetic shape memory alloys at concentrations x = 0.18–0.36 have been studied using small-angle polarized neutron scattering in magnetic fields 0 < H ≤ 5.7 kOe. In this concentration range, the alloy undergoes a coupled magnetic-structural phase transition. At x < 0.18, the martensitic phase transition occurs, as usual, in the ferromagnetic state, i.e., T _m < T _C (T _m and T _C are the temperatures of the martensitic and magnetic phase transitions, respectively). However, at x > 0.27, the relationship between the characteristic temperatures is changed, i.e., T _m > T _C. The small-angle polarized neutron scattering data indicate that, in the concentration range under investigation, there occurs a complex transformation of the magnetic and atomic structures. All phase transitions exhibit a temperature hysteresis of scattering and polarization, which is characteristic of first-order phase transitions. A comparative analysis of the mesoscopic structures of the Ni_{2 + x} Mn_{1 − x} Ga and Ni_{2 + x + y} Mn_{1 − x} Ga_{1 − y} alloys studied using the small-angle polarized neutron scattering technique has been carried out.     

四元Heusler合金NiMnFeGa中Fe原子的磁性贡献

用熔炼和甩带的方法制备了组分为Ni₅₀Fe_xMn_25-xGa ₂₅(x=0—25) 的系列样品.x射线衍射实验结果表明，当Fe取代Mn的含量x＜17时，用熔炼和甩带的方法均 能合成高度有序的L2₁结构的Heusler相.而当x＞17时，普通熔炼方法只能得到 低有序度的 γ相，只有采用甩带急冷的方法才能获得高度有序的纯L2₁结构的化合物.根据 交流磁化率 和分子磁矩的测试结果，初步分析了Fe原子对化合物磁性的贡献，认为Fe原子占据了Mn原子 的位置后，具有高于一般含铁合金的原子磁矩，可达2.55—3.55μ_B. 关键词： Heusler合金 50Fe_xMn_25-xGa_{25')" href="#">Ni50FexMn25-xGa25}     

Research on Zr50Al15−xNi10Cu25Yx amorphous alloys prepared by mechanical alloying with commercial pure element powders

Amorphous Zr₅₀Al_15−xNi₁₀Cu₂₅Y_x alloy powders were fabricated by mechanical alloying at low vacuum with commercial pure element powders. The effects on glass forming ability of Al partial substituted by Y in Zr₅₀Al₁₅Ni₁₀Cu₂₅ and thermal stability of Si₃N₄ powders addition were investigated. The as-milled powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimeter. The results show that partial substitution of Al can improve the glass forming ability of Zr₅₀Al₁₅Ni₁₀Cu₂₅ alloy. Minor Si₃N₄ additions raise the crystallization activation energy of the amorphous phase and thus improve its thermal stability.     

Behavior of the nickel-titanium alloys with the shape memory effect under conditions of shock wave loading

The behavior of the Ti_51.1Ni_48.9 and Ti_49.4Ni_50.6 alloys with shape memory effects has been studied under submicrosecond shock wave loading in the temperature range from −80 to 160°C, which includes both the regions of the stable state of the specimens in the austenite and martensite phases and the regions of thermoelastic martensitic transformations. The grain size of the studied alloys varies from initial values 15–30 to 0.05–0.30 μm. The dependences of the dynamic elastic limit on the temperature and on the elemental composition are similar to the dependences of the yield stress of these alloys under low strain rate loading. The rarefaction shock wave formation as a consequence of the pseudoelastic behavior of the alloy during a reversible martensitic transformation has been revealed. A decrease in the grain size leads to an increase in the dynamic elastic limit and decreases the temperatures of martensitic transformations.     

Physical properties of polycrystalline Ni52Mn26Al22 around martensitic transformation

Electrical resistivity and magnetic properties on Ni₅₂Mn₂₆Al₂₂ polycrystalline Heusler alloy are investigated in detail. The progress of transformation of this alloy was also followed by heat flux measurements. The transformations were found to be broad and hysteretic. Using Deng & Ansell’s phenomenological theory, the energy consumed for phase boundary motion in this polycrystalline alloy was found to be (31.5 J/mol). The broad transition as compared to Ni–Mn–Ga observed in this polycrystalline alloy, is discussed in light of a phenomenological model.     

The structural and magnetic properties of Ni2Mn1−xBxGa Heusler alloys

The influence of the substitution of manganese by boron on the crystal structure and magnetic properties of Ni₂Mn_1−xB_xGa Heusler alloys with 0?x?0.5 has been investigated using X-ray diffraction, thermal expansion, resistivity, and magnetization measurements. The samples with concentrations x<0.25 were found to be of single phase and belonged to the cubic L2₁ crystal structure at room temperature. Crystal cell parameters of the alloys decreased from 5.830 to 5.825 Å with increasing boron concentration (x) from 0 to 0.25. The alloys were ferromagnetically ordered at 5 K and the saturation magnetization decreased with increasing boron concentration. The ferromagnetic ordering and structural transition temperatures for 0?x?0.3 have been observed and the phase (x−T) diagram of the Ni₂Mn_1−xB_xGa system was constructed. The phase (x−T) diagram indicates that the ground state of Ni₂Mn_1−xB_xGa alloys belongs to ferromagnetic martensitic, premartensitic, and austenitic phases in x?0.12, 0.12<x?0.18, and 0.18<x?0.3, respectively. The relative influence of cell parameters and electron concentrations on the phase diagram is discussed.     

High-temperature superelasticity in CoNiGa,CoNiAl, NiFeGa,and TiNi monocrystals

The influence of the crystal orientation on the thermoelastic martensitic transformations developing under load was investigated for Co₄₉Ni₂₁Ga₃₀, Co₄₀Ni₃₃Al₂₇, Co₃₅Ni₃₅Al₃₀, Ni₅₄Fe₁₉Ga₂₇, and Ti_49.4Ni_50.6 (аt. %) monocrystals. It has been shown that the superelastic temperature range depends on the crystal orientation and reaches a maximum for [001]-oriented crystals. In monophase crystals of Co₄₉Ni₂₁Ga₃₀, Co₄₀Ni₃₃Al₂₇, Co₃₅Ni₃₅Al₃₀, and Ni₅₄Fe₁₉Ga₂₇ (at. %), segregation of dispersion particles takes place at test temperatures T > 623 K. A criterion for high-temperature superelasticity has been proposed which implies the attainment of high strength of the high-temperature phase due to a proper choice of the crystal orientation, deviation from stoichiometry, and segregation of dispersion particles. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 10. pp. 19–37. October, 2008.     

Magnetically controlled thermoelastic martensite transformations and properties of a fine-grained Ni<Subscript>54</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>21</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>25</Subscript> alloy

Comparative studies of physical characteristics (the electrical resistivity, the magnetic susceptibility, the magnetization, the bending deformation, and the degree of shape recovery during subsequent heating) of the Ni₅₄Mn₂₁Ga₂₅ ferromagnetic alloy as-cast and rapidly quenched from melt have been performed in the temperature range 2–400 K. The results are compared to the results of studying the structural–phase transformations by transmission and scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. It is found that the rapid quenching influences the microstructure, the magnetic state, the critical temperatures, and the specific features of thermoelastic martensite transformations in the alloy. It is found that the resource of the alloy plasticity and thermomechanical bending cyclic stability demonstrates a record-breaking increase in the intercritical temperature range and during subsequent heating.     

AlN, GaN, AlxGa1 − xN nanotubes and GaN/AlxGa1 − xN nanotube heterojunctions

Semiconductor optoelectronic devices based on GaN and on InGaN or AlGaN alloys and superlattices can operate in a wide range of wavelengths, from far infrared to near ultraviolet region. The efficiency of these devices could be enhanced by shrinking the size and increasing the density of the semiconductor components. Nanostructured materials are natural candidates to fulfill these requirements. Here we use the density functional theory to study the electronic and structural properties of (10,0) GaN, AlN, Al_xGa_1 − xN nanotubes and GaN/Al_xGa_1 − xN heterojunctions, 0<x<1. The Al_xGa_1 − xN nanotubes exhibit direct band gaps for the whole range of Al compositions, with band gaps varying from 3.45 to 4.85 eV, and a negative band gap bowing coefficient of −0.14 eV. The GaN/Al_xGa_1 − xN nanotube heterojunctions show a type-I band alignment, with the valence band offsets showing a non-linear dependence with the Al content in the nanotube alloy. The results show the possibility of engineering the band gaps and band offsets of these III-nitrides nanotubes by alloying on the cation sites.