Influence of mechanical alloying and heat treatment processing on the Ni2MnSn Heusler alloy structure

Formation of the Ni2MnSn Heusler alloy by solid state reaction from elemental powders was investigated. The solid state reaction was conducted in a planetary ball mill under argon atmosphere up to 28 h of milling. During the milling, after selected intervals samples were collected and studied by X-ray diffraction to record phase changes. After 16 h of milling a two phase mixture (Ni2MnSn with B2 structure and NiMnSn with C1b structure) was found. Further, the thermal stability of the samples was investigated, and phase precipitation was found. The formed phases are ordered Full Heusler (L21) and Ni3Sn2. The formation temperature and their amount evolution versus temperature and milling time is discussed. An inversion of the formation temperature was found for the L21 and Ni3Sn2 phase, during the DSC study, in relation with the milling time. For the B2 compound a stability range on temperature was identified (from 25 to 300 °C), as well as for the L21 and Ni3Sn2 phases (from 400 to 600 °C) in the case of 28 h milled sample. The milled and annealed sample exhibit nanocrystalline state, formation mechanism under temperature was concluded to be by precipitation.