Effect of texturing on the magnetically activated properties of polycrystalline NiMnGa alloys

We present structural and magnetostrain data obtained on as cast and annealed bulk polycrystalline Ni2MnGa samples with a defined grain orientation. A peak cyclic strain of the order of 10(-4) is found, due to the readjustment of martensite structures under applied field. Annealing may produce positive effects on the austenite to martensite transition and on strain. These experimental results are discussed with reference to previously published data on single crystals and randomly oriented polycrystalline samples.