A new ferromagnetic shape memory alloy system

It is shown that the alloys Co(2)Ni(1-x)Ga(1+x,)x = 0.06, 0.09, 0.17, 0.15, are ferromagnetic shape memory alloys. In the as-solidified start: their m artensite start temperatures vary in the range 20 degreesC <T < 60 degreesC as the concentration parameter x decreases. The high and low temperature p hases are body centered cubic and orthorhombic and/or monoclinic, respectiv ely. The transformation hysteresis. i.e. the difference between the martens ite and austenite start temperatures, equals approximately 30 degrees. The saturation magnetization of the alloys resembles that of nickel while their coercive force is of the order of 100mT. (C) 2001 Acta Materiala Inc. Publ ished by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.