Tuning the Curie temperature and phase fraction of FeNi25-based alloys with Mn and Co for magnetocaloric applications

Abstract: This paper discusses the search of an FeNi25-based alloy with a face-centered cubic crystal structure exhibiting a Curie point around room temperature, for magnetocaloric applications. Fe was substituted in various amounts with FCC-stabilising elements Mn and Co as these elements respectively decrease and increase the Curie Temperature, thus enabling to tune the Curie point. Three characterization methods were carried out on the samples: Magneto- thermo-gravimetry (MTG), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and finally, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements were performed. All samples displayed several Curie points, each corresponding to various FCC phases. Also, the last sample, FeNi25Mn6Co2, had an FCC phase fraction of almost 99% and presented two Curie points in the continuity of one another one at -35°C and another at 91°C. Hence, at room temperature, the sample underwent a magnetic phase transition passing from its ferromagnetic state to a paramagnetic one.