Martensitic transformation in Pd doped FeRh exhibiting a metamagnetic transition

We have investigated the martensitic transformation in B2-type Fe50Rh40Pd10 alloy. The B2-phase (cubic structure) of this alloy exhibits a magnetic transition on cooling from a ferromagnetic phase to an antiferromagnetic phase at 270 K. It then shows a martensitic transformation at 175 K. The martensite phase has a tetragonal structure with a tetragonality c/a = 1.17. We confirmed that the specimen deformed in the martensite phase show an imperfect shape memory effect in association with the reverse transformation. The reverse transformation (from the antiferromagnetic tetragonal phase to the ferromagnetic B2-phase) is expected to be controlled by a magnetic field.

► Fe50Rh40Pd10 alloy exhibits a magnetic transition and a martensitic transformation.
► The martensitic transformation is thermoelastic and a shape memory effect appears.
► Magnetic field likely induces the reverse martensitic transformation.