The magnetic properties across the martensitic transition in the Co38Ni34Al28 alloy

The magnetic properties of the Co38Ni34Al28 alloy have been studied. The alloy exhibits a first order austenite–martensite phase transition in the temperature region between 155 and 247 K. A strain of 0.07% is produced across this phase transition. The Arrott plots obtained from the isothermal magnetic field dependence of magnetization indicate the presence of spontaneous magnetization both in the austenite and martensite phases, confirming the ferromagnetic character of the alloy up to room temperature. The temperature dependence of the high field magnetization indicates the presence of spin wave excitations, spin wave excitation gap and spin wave–spin wave interactions in the martensite phase. The magnetic anisotropy energy constant for the Co38Ni34Al28 alloy is estimated both with the help of the standard law of approach to saturation of magnetization, and also from the field dependence of magnetization using the field for technical saturation of magnetization. The temperature dependences of these energy terms are compared. The estimated values of the magnetic anisotropy constant seem to be in agreement with the magnitude of the spin wave excitation gap estimated from the temperature dependence of high field magnetization.

▸ First order austenite–martensite phase transition was observed in Co38Ni34Al28. ▸ Strain of 0.07% was observed across this transition. ▸ Both the austenite and martensite phases were found to be ferromagnetic. ▸ Results indicate the presence of an excitation gap in the spin wave spectrum. ▸ Gap in the spin wave spectrum arises from the magnetic anisotropy.