Large entropy change associated with the elastocaloric effect in polycrystalline Ni-Mn-Sb-Co magnetic shape memory alloys

We report on compressive strain measurements in polycrystalline magnetic shape memory alloys aimed at determining the entropy change associated with their elastocaloric effect. It is shown that for a maximum applied stress of 100 MPa, the stress-induced entropy change amounts to Delta S = 21 J/kg K. This value compares well to the values reported for nonmagnetic shape memory alloys, and it is of the same order as those reported for the best giant magnetocaloric materials at moderate magnetic fields. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.