Elastocaloric effect and magnetic properties of rare earth Ce-doped Cu-Al-Mn alloy

Abstract

In this research, the elastocaloric and magnetic properties of Cu₇₀Al_20.5Mn_9.5-xCe_x (x = 0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9) alloy are systematically studied. The resistance-temperature curve (R-T) revealed that the phase transition temperature range of the alloy is below room temperature (about 230–272 K) and increases as the Ce content increases. In addition, the thermomagnetic curve (M-T) and isothermal magnetization curve (M − H) suggested that the alloy exhibits weak magnetism. The X-ray diffraction pattern shows that the alloy is a single β phase at room temperature. The stress-strain curve shows that with the increase of Ce content, the overall strain of the alloy tends to decrease, indicating that the addition of Ce will increase the compressive modulus of the alloy. The test of elastocaloric properties shows that the maximum adiabatic temperature change of the alloy initially decreases and then increases as the Ce content rises. When the Ce content is 0.3, it exhibits an adiabatic temperature change of 7.4 K under the stress unloading of 500 MPa. The temperature-time cycle test shows that Cu₇₀Al_20.5Mn_9.2Ce_0.3 has good elastocaloric cycle stability.