Improved magnetostriction in cold-rolled and annealed Mn₅₀Fe₅₀ alloy

Magnetostriction in antiferromagnetic Mn₅₀Fe₅₀ alloy was significantly improved by cold-rolling and subsequent annealing. Mn₅₀Fe₅₀ retained a single face-centered cubic γ phase during deformation and recrystallization, which is essential for high magnetostriction. Mixed textures of {0 1 1} 〈1 1 0〉, {0 0 1} 〈1 1 0〉 and a weak {0 1 1} 〈1 0 0〉 component were observed in the as-rolled sheet, and were retained after annealing at 600 °C for 1 h. The preferred 〈1 1 0〉 orientation along the direction parallel to rolling is believed to be responsible for the improvement in magnetostriction.