Cold working consequence on the magnetocaloric effect of Ni 50 Mn 34 In 16 Heusler alloy

The negative effect of cold working on the magnetocaloric effect across the Curie transition of Mnbased Heusler alloys is highlighted. The results of manual crushing and subsequent heat treatment on the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of a Ni50Mn34In16 sample are reported. Plausible explanations of the degradation of the magnetocaloric effect by cold working are discussed, on the basis of magnetic and structural measurements performed on a reference sample. The study of the connection between microstructure and magnetic properties of these materials represents a key point for the improvement of Heusler-based magnetic refrigeration.