Effect of Mn addition on the structural and magnetic properties of Fe–Pd ferromagnetic shape memory alloys

The effect of Mn addition on the structural and magnetic properties of Fe–Pd ferromagnetic shape memory alloys is investigated. In particular, a complete characterization of the influence of the partial substitution of Fe by Mn has been performed on Fe69.4−xPd30.6Mnx (x = 0, 1, 2.5 and 5) alloys. The substitution of 1% Fe by Mn fully inhibits the undesirable irreversible face-centered tetragonal to body-centered tetragonal transformation without decreasing the face-centered cubic to face-centered tetragonal temperature. In addition, the substitution of 2.5% Fe by Mn gives rise to the highest thermoelastic transformation temperature observed to date in the Fe–Pd system, probably due to an increase in the valence electron concentration. The magnetocaloric effect has been evaluated in this alloy system for the first time. Nevertheless, the low values obtained suggest that the Fe–Pd alloys are not good candidates for magnetic refrigeration applications.