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%, andAl =24.5%). The X-ray diffraction shows a single-phase B2 crystalline structure with lattice parameter$a=5.671$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.