Near Room Temperature Magnetocaloric Response of an (FeNi)ZrB Alloy

Mechanical alloying of (Fe70Ni30)(89)Zr7B4 powders leads to the formation of a gamma-FeNi phase. In order to obtain single gamma-phase, a powdered sample was solution annealed in the gamma-phase field and water quenched. The Curie temperature of this powder was slightly higher than room temperature. The refrigerant capacity calculated for this alloy, RCFWHM similar to 330 J . kg(-1) for 5 T, is comparable to other prominent room temperature magnetocaloric materials, making this alloy a good candidate for magnetic refrigeration near room temperature with additional benefits that is non-rare earth containing and less expensive than many alternatives.