Phase transformation in steel alloys for magnetocaloric applications; Fe$_{85-x}$Cr$_{15}$Ni$_{x}$ and Fe$_{85-x}$Cr$_{15}$Mn$_{x}$ as prototypes

Abstract

We here show by first principles theory that it is possible to achieve a structural and magnetic phase transition in common steel alloys like Fe$_{85}$Cr$_{15}$, by alloying with Ni or Mn. The predicted phase transition is from the ferromagnetic body centered cubic (bcc) phase to the paramagnetic face centered cubic (fcc) phase. The relatively high average magnetic moment of $\sim1.4\mu_{B}$/atom predicted at the transition suggests that stainless steel potentially can present a magnetocaloric effect strong enough to make these alloys good candidates for refrigeration applications operating at and around room temperature.