Influence of Cr on microstructure and elastocaloric effect in Ni-Mn-In-Co-Cr polycrystalline alloys

Ni-Mn-based metamagnetic shape memory alloys have been proposed as potential elastocaloric refrigerants. The intrinsic brittleness of the alloys has limited their cooling application. Introducing a soft second phase is an effective way to reduce the brittleness. From the viewpoint of application, the effect of second phase on elastocaloric effect should be illustrated. In this paper, we have investigated the microstructure, martensitic transformation and elastocaloric effect of Ni45Mn37-xIn13Co5Crx (x=0,1 and 2) polycrystalline alloys. Single-phase and precipitates-containing microstructures are obtained for the undoped and doped alloys, respectively. The precipitates in Cr-doped alloys enhances the fracture strength but significantly hinders the martensitic transformation. Balancing the fracture strength and martensitic transformation, the Ni45Mn36In13Co5Cr alloy with small amount of precipitates along grain boundaries exhibits large cooling effects of 4-6 K in the temperature range of 317-353 K.