Large magnetic entropy change and enhanced mechanical properties of Ni–Mn–Sn–C alloys

The microstructure, magnetocaloric effect and mechanical properties of carbon-doped Ni43Mn46Sn11Cx (x = 0, 2, 4, 8) alloys have been investigated. The martensitic transformation temperatures increase remarkably, from 196 to 249 K, as the carbon doping content increases. A large magnetic entropy change, ΔSM, from 27.4 J kg−1 K−1 with x = 0 to 34.6 J kg−1 K−1 with x = 2, was obtained for a field change of 5 T. A significant enhancement of compressive strength from 556 MPa with x = 0 up to 1016 MPa with x = 8 is ascribed to the appearance of high amount of carbides.