Influence of annealing on martensitic transformation and magnetic entropy change in Ni37.7Co12.7Mn40.8Sn8.8 magnetic shape memory alloy ribbon

The microstructure, martensitic transformation and magnetic properties of Ni37.7Co12.7Mn40.8Sn8.8 high temperature magnetic shape memory ribbon subjected to different annealing temperature were investigated. Annealing up to 1073 K slightly raised the transformation temperatures and the transformation interval, while annealing at 1173 K considerably decreased the transformation temperature and strongly widened the transformation interval due to the formation of a second phase. The as-spun and annealed ribbon at 973 K exhibited giant magnetic entropy changes of around 15 J/kg K under 15 kOe magnetic field above 400 K. Further increasing annealing temperature caused a decrease of the magnetic entropy change. To achieve a large magnetocaloric effect while keeping an elevated transformation temperature, an appropriate annealing parameter should be carefully considered.