Structural and Magnetic Characterization of Half-Metallic Co2MnAl Heusler Alloy

Magnetic and structural characterization of full Heusler Co₂MnAl alloys prepared by rapid quenching from pure elements was studied. This technique allows a fast production of relatively a large amount of Heusler alloys without the necessity of further thermal treatment. The Heusler alloys have been prepared by the melt-spinning method in the form of ribbons with homogeneous chemical composition (Co = 46.1%, Mn = 29.4%, and Al = 24.5%). The X-ray diffraction shows a single-phase B2 crystalline structure with lattice parameter α = 5.671 Å. Magnetic measurements reveal an anisotropic character of the Co₂MnAl ribbon with easy magnetization axis well defined in parallel direction with respect to the ribbon plane. Curie temperature was estimated from magnetization measurement to be 710 K.