Microstructure and martensitic transformation of Ni–Fe–Ga–Si ferromagnetic shape memory alloys

The effects of the fourth element Si on the martensitic transformation and magnetic properties of Ni–Fe–Ga magnetic shape memory alloys were investigated. A complete thermoelastic martensitic transformation in Ni–Fe–Ga–Si alloys was observed in the temperature range of 218–285 K. The martensitic transformation temperatures of Ni–Fe–Ga alloys are obviously decreased by the substitution of Si for Ga element, that is, the substitution of 1 at.% Si for Ga leads to a decrease of martensitic transformation temperature of about 39.6 K. Moreover, the substitution of Si for Ga leads to a decrease of the saturation magnetic field and the magnetic anisotropy constant K1 obviously.