Crystallographic correlation between 5M and 7M martensite in an Ni–Mn–Ga alloy

In Ni–Mn–Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloys, a structural transformation from one type of martensite to another is frequently observed upon cooling or heating. In this work, the microstructural features associated with the transformation from 5M to 7M martensite in an Ni₅₀Mn₂₆Ga₂₂Cu₂ alloy were studied. On the basis of the crystallographic orientation determination and an examination of the microstructure by means of the electron backscatter diffraction technique, the 5M to 7M transformation was found to be accompanied by the thickening of martensite plates. The two kinds of martensite (5M and 7M) possess a specific orientation relationship with (001)_5M//(001)_7M and [100]_5M//[100]_7M. Through further lattice distortion, four types of 5M variant can evolve into four 7M martensite variants in one variant colony. The present study is expected to provide a deep insight into the crystallographic correlation between 5M and 7M martensite in Ni–Mn–Ga alloys.