Analysis of Variant Orientation Before and After Compression in Polycrystalline Ni₅₀Mn₂₉Ga₂₁ MSMA

This paper deals with the microstructure and plastic deformation of Ni₅₀Mn₂₉Ga₂₁ ferromagnetic shape memory alloys. In contrast to conventional shape memory alloys, plastic deformation in the martensitic phase, which is due to twin boundary motion, may be caused not only by mechanical stress but also by an external magnetic field. The polycrystalline sample was prepared by directional solidification with a texture parallel to the heat flow. Afterwards, a heat treatment follows for chemical homogenization and stress relaxation in the austenitic state. The configuration of the twin boundaries was analyzed before and after compressing the samples. The microstructure after compression was related to the magnetic properties.