Determination of crystal structure and crystallographic characteristics in Ni-Mn-Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloys

Ni-Mn-Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloys (FSMAs) have received great attention during the past decade due to their giant magnetic shape memory effect and fast dynamic response. The crystal structure and crystallographic features of two Ni-Mn-Ga alloys were precisely determined in this study. Neutron diffraction measurements show that Ni48Mn30Ga22 has a Heusler austenitic structure at room temperature; its crystal structure changes into a seven-layered martensitic structure when cooled to 243K. Ni53Mn25Ga22 has an I4/mmm martensitic structure at room temperature. Electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analyses reveal that there are only two martensitic variants with a misorientation of ~82° around <110> axis in each initial austenite grain in Ni53Mn25Ga22. The investigation on crystal structure and crystallographic features will shed light on the development of high-performance FSMAs with optimal properties.