Effects of Cu on the martensitic transformation and magnetic properties of Mn50Ni40In10 alloy

The structures, the martensitic transformations, and the magnetic properties are studied systematically in Mn50Ni40?xCuxIn10, Mn50?xCuxNi40In10, and Mn50Ni40In10?xCux alloys. The partial substitution of Ni by Cu reduces the martensitic transformation temperature, but has little influence on the Curie temperature of austenite. Comparatively, the martensitic transformation temperature increases and the Curie temperature of austenite decreases with the partial replacement of Mn or In by Cu. The magnetization difference between the austenite phase and the martensite phase reaches 70 emu/g in Mn50Ni39Cu1In10; a field-induced martensite-to-austenite transition is observed in this alloy.