In-situ HT-XRD study of B2 structure of Ni-Co-Mn-Al Heusler alloy prepared by mechanical alloying

Abstract Quaternary Ni-Co-Mn-Al Heusler alloy was successfully synthesized from pure elemental powders by Mechanical Alloying, using a high-energy planetary ball mill. The obtained powder was characterized with DSC, and high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD) in order to study thermal transitions, and the microstructural changes occurring at high temperatures. By means of the in-situ HT-XRD, it was found that Ni43.5Co6.5Mn30Al20 has a stable B2 disordered Heusler structure at 300°C, after a short heating time of about half an hour.