Influence of chemical composition on martensitic transformation of MnNiIn shape memory alloys

The most extensively studied Heusler alloys are those based on the Ni–Mn–Ga system. However, to overcome the high cost of Gallium and the generally low martensitic transformation temperature, the search for Ga-free alloys has been recently attempted, particularly, by introducing In, Sn or Sb. In this work, two shape memory alloys, Mn50Ni50−xInx (x = 7.5 and 10), were obtained by rapid solidification. We outline their structural and thermal behaviour. The structural austenite–martensite transformation was checked by calorimetry. The transformation temperatures decrease as In content increases. The same pattern is reflected in entropy and enthalpy changes linked to transformation. The control of the valence electron by atom (e/a) determines the transformation temperatures range in this kind of alloys, and it is possible to develop alloys that can be candidates in applications such as sensors and actuators. In addition, X-ray diffraction was performed to verify the crystalline structure at room temperature.