Large exchange-bias in Ni55Mn19Al24Si2 polycrystalline ribbons

The crystal structure, phase transition and exchange bias effect in induction melted polycrystalline ribbons of Ni55Mn19Al24Si2 have been studied using room temperature x-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and magnetic measurements. The sample was found to show structural transformation temperatures such as austenite start (As)=306 K, austenite finish (Af)=316 K, martensite start (Ms)=305 K and martensite finish (Mf)=294 K all above room temperature. The room temperature structure evaluated as orthorhombic 14 M with lattice parameters a=4.14 Å, b=29.84 Å, and c=5.72 Å. Importantly at ~2 K, the sample showed a large exchange bias field of about 2520 Oe, which is the maximum value ever reported among the Heusler alloy samples.