Magnetocaloric effect in the low hysteresis Ni-Mn-In metamagnetic shape-memory Heusler alloy

We have studied magnetocaloric properties of a Ni-Mn-In metamagnetic shape-memory alloy especially designed in order to display low thermal hysteresis. Magnetization and calorimetric measurements under a magnetic field have been used in order to determine isothermal magnetic field-induced entropy changes. Results obtained indirectly from magnetization data, quasi-directly from isofield calorimetric measurements, and directly from isothermal calorimetric runs are systematic and agree well with each other. We have analyzed the reproducibility of magnetocaloric properties with cycling from direct isothermal calorimetric measurements. Due to low thermal hysteresis, we have found that about 80% of the transition entropy change, Delta S-t similar or equal to 25 J/kg K, can be reversibly induced under successive application and removal of a field of 6 T. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.