Martensitic transformation, crystal structure and shape memory effect in Ni55-xMn25Ga20Coxalloys

The effect of cobalt addition instead of nickel on the crystal structure, martensitic transformation behaviour and shape memory effect were investigated. Within the analysed range of chemical composition, a single non-modulated martensite was detected at ambient temperature. Cobalt addition modified the lattice parameters and, thus, affected the tetragonality of the martensite unit cell. The hysteresis of martensitic transformation was differently affected by the type of heat treatment applied. For furnace cooled samples, the hysteresis decreased from 50°C to 30°C; in the case of water quenched samples, the hysteresis sharply increased up to 60°C. The shape memory effect, measured as the recoverable strain upon annealing after compression tests, reached a fully recoverable deformation at 10?at.-% of cobalt.This paper is part of a Thematic Issue on The Crystallographic Aspects of Metallic Alloys.