Stress-assisted reversible magnetic field-induced phase transformation in Ni2MnGa magnetic shape memory alloys

Reversible magnetic field-induced martensitic phase transformation is demonstrated for the first time in Ni2MnGa magnetic shape memory alloy single crystals under constant stress levels and low field magnitudes. Actuation stress levels larger than 25 MPa were achieved providing an order of magnitude increase with respect to the values obtained from field-induced martensite reorientation. The necessary magneto-thermo-mechanical conditions for the field-induced phase transformation are discussed.