Effect of boron on the martensitic transformation and magnetic properties of Ni50Mn36.5Sb13.5−xBx alloys

The effect of boron substitution for Sb in the Heusler alloys Ni50Mn36.5Sb13.5−xBx (x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5) has been studied. The substitution with B reduces the Curie temperature of both the martensite and austenite phases. The saturation magnetization Ms decreases monotonically with increasing B content. The doping of B increases the martensitic transformation temperature effectively. When x = 1.0 and 1.5, an orthorhombic four-layered (4O) martensite is observed at room temperature.