Additive manufacturing of Ni-Mn-Sn shape memory Heusler alloy - Microstructure and magnetic properties from powder to printed parts

Ni-Mn-based Heusler alloys such as Ni-Mn-Sn show both elastocaloric and magnetocaloric effects during the magneto-structural phase transition, making these materials interesting for solid-state cooling applications. Material processing by additive manufacturing can overcome difficulties related to the machinability of the alloys, caused by their intrinsic brittleness. Since the magnetic properties and transition temperature are highly sensitive to the chemical composition, it is essential to understand and monitor these properties over the entire processing chain. In the present work, the microstructural and magnetic properties from gas-atomized powder to post-processed Ni-Mn-Sn alloy are investigated. Directed energy deposition was used for processing, promoting the evolution of a polycrystalline microstructure being characterized by elongated grains along the building direction. A complete and sharp martensitic transformation can be achieved after applying a subsequent heat treatment at 1173 K for 24 h. The Mn-evaporation of 1.3 at.% and the formation of Mn-oxide during DED-processing lead to an increase of the transition temperature of 21 K and a decrease of magnetization, clearly pointing at the necessity of controlling the composition, oxygen partial pressure and magnetic properties over the entire processing chain.