Effect of Magnetic Field on γ-α Transformation in Fe-Rh Alloys

Abstract

Effect of magnetic field on γ(austenite)↔α(ferrite) transformation has been studied by using Fe-xRh alloys with x=2, 5, 10 at%. In this system, the Curie temperature Tc of the α-phase is either above the γ↔α transformation temperature or below it depending on the Rh content. In the former case, the transformation temperature increases linearly with increasing magnetic field, while in the latter case, it increases almost proportional to square of magnetic field. Such difference has been discussed quantitatively on the basis of a Clausius-Clapeyron-like equation by using the magnetization and latent heat measured in the study.