Microstructure and Magnetocaloric Properties of LaFe11.8–xCoxSi1.2 Strip-Cast Flakes

Flake-like LaFe11.8-xCoxSi1.2 alloys were successfully prepared in kilogram quantities by a strip-casting technique. It is found that a large amount of NaZn13-type La(Fe,Co,Si)(13) phase (above 95 vol.%) can form in LaFe11Co0.8Si1.2 strip-cast flakes annealed at 1323 K for 24 h. The resulting alloy exhibits a maximum entropy change of 8.4 J/kg K and negligible magnetic hysteresis under a field change of 0-2 T. In addition, the Curie temperature can be accurately tuned by adjusting the concentration ratio of the Fe/Co. Our results indicate that the strip casting is an effective way to produce high-performance La(Fe,Co,Si)(13) materials for room-temperature magnetic cooling.