The effects of the addition of Co on the martensitic transformation and Curie transition temperatures of polycrystalline Ni46-xCu4CoxMn33.sGa16.5 （x = 0, 1, 3, 5） alloys are investigated. An abrupt decrease in the martensitic transformation temperature and an obvious increase in the Curie transition temperature of austenite （TA） are observed when Co is doped in the NiCuMnGa alloy. As a result, the composition range for obtaining the magnetostructural transition is extended. Furthermore, the effect of a strong magnetic field on the magnetostructural transition is analyzed. This study offers a possible method to extend the composition range for obtaining magnetostructural transition in Heusler alloys.
Ni30Cu20Mn37＋xGa13-x（x = 0–4.5） alloys were studied with the phase transformation and mechanical properties. With the increase of Mn content, the martensitic transformation temperatures increase and the Curie temperature decreases. Simultaneously, the room temperature microstructure evolves from single phase of austenite to dual phases containing martensite and precipitation. Both the ductility and the strength of the polycrystalline alloys are significantly improved by the precipitation. Coupled magnetostructural transition from weak magnetic martensite to ferromagnetic austenite is obtained in both single-phase and ductile dual-phase alloys.
