Magnetic and Martensitic Phase Transformations in a Ni<SUB>54</SUB>Ga<SUB>27</SUB>Fe<SUB>19</SUB> Alloy

Abstract

The martensitic and magnetic transitions of Ni54Ga27Fe19 alloy were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffraction and with a vibrating sample magnetometer. The alloy is martensitically transformed from a L21 to a martensite phase with a 14M (7R) structure. The ferromagnetic transition is also accompanied by the martensitic transformation from a paramagnetic parent phase to a ferromagnetic martensite phase in the temperature interval between Ms (= 293 K) and Mf (= 274 K). The Ni–Ga–Fe system is promising as a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy.