On the Curie temperature and Nishizawa horn in the Al-Co-Ni system.

Abstract There have been extensive reports on the phase diagram and magnetic properties of the Al-Co-Ni system. However, a systematic investigation of the Curie temperatures in this alloy system is still lacking. In this work, the Curie temperature in the fcc phase field of the Al-Co-Ni alloy system was studied using a simultaneous magnetic balance and differential scanning calorimeter method. The Curie temperature contour map was constructed according to the measured results and an Exponential2D fitting function using Originlab® was obtained, which provides a useful tool for estimating the Curie temperature in Al-Co-Ni alloys. The experimental technique provides a novel method of detecting phase transformations and precipitation based on analyzing the heat effects and magnetic behavior of the alloys in the presence or absence of a magnetic field. Experimental results from this technique provide the first evidence for the occurrence of a Nishizawa horn in this system as predicted using Thermo-Calc®. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • The Curie temperature in Al-Co-Ni system was measured using combined TG-DSC method. • A fitting function was proposed for estimating Curie temperature in Al-Co-Ni alloys. • This technique provides a novel method of detecting phase transformations. • Experimental results provide the first evidence for Nishizawa horn in this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]