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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
In this work, a systematic investigation is being carried out on single crystals of Ni47.8Mn27.5Ga24.7 alloy to determine the effect of temperature on the magneto-mechanical behaviour of the Ni-Mn-Ga alloys. Repeated mechanical and magnetic forces have been applied at various temperatures below the martensite finish (MF) temperature. It has been observed that twinning start and finish stresses, critical magnetic field and maximum magnetic-field-induced strain all remain almost constant within about 20K below MF and then change substantially at lower temperatures. Eventually no magnetic-field-induced strain can be observed at temperatures below 262K. It is proposed that although magnetic anisotropy constant increases with decreasing temperature, it is not sufficient to overcome the increasing twinning stresses required for twin boundary motion at lower temperatures.